DIMAND’s CEO, Dimitris Andriopoulos, participated in a fireside chat with His Grace Varnavas Tyris, Metropolitan of Neapoleos and Stavroupoleos. The Metropolitan highlighted that a significant share of Greece’s GDP is generated in the western part of the city, emphasizing the importance of infrastructure and the value of collaboration among stakeholders. He also referred to the need for an “alliance for good,” which could play a crucial role in addressing the key challenges facing the area.

The discussion was followed by a panel titled “Western Gateway: Thessaloniki’s Emerging Hub for Development and Culture,” moderated by DIMAND’s COO, Olga Itsiou. The panel featured Dimitris Andriopoulos, Stathis Georgiadis, President of the Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra, Agis Papadopoulos, President of EYATH, David Saltiel, President of the Central Board of Jewish Communities in Greece, Asterios Tsoukalas, Secretary General of the Black Sea Trade and Development Bank, and Epameinondas Christofilopoulos, Executive President of MOMus.

Representing institutions that play an active role in the regeneration of Thessaloniki’s Western Entrance, the speakers discussed the development prospects of the area and highlighted its significant potential.

The discussion confirmed that the Western Entrance of Thessaloniki is emerging as a dynamic hub of development and culture, where investments, infrastructure, culture and institutional cooperation are shaping a modern and sustainable development model for the city.