Within the framework of the 5th Thessaloniki Metropolitan Summit, organized by the Economist and powergame.gr, Alexandros Exarchou, managing director of AKTOR, and Infrastructure and Transport Minister Christos Dimas, presented innovative approaches for modernizing public construction projects. The two leading industry representatives emphasized the importance of radical changes in the philosophy of infrastructure project implementation.
Alexandros Exarchou: His proposals for public works reform
Alexandros Exarchou emphasized that despite Greece being one of the most attractive destinations for construction investments globally today, structural weaknesses in the system risk limiting development prospects. To address these challenges, he proposed three strategic directions that would accelerate project implementation.
The central pillar of the AKTOR managing director’s proposal is ensuring fully matured studies before any tender is announced. Additionally, he stressed the criticality of securing funding in time and completing expropriation procedures. As he characteristically stated: “It’s better for a tender to be delayed than for a project to start without the necessary prerequisites“.
]
Christos Dimas’s national water resource management plan
For his part, Infrastructure Minister Christos Dimas presented the ambitious project program for the new period, focusing particularly on the strategic utilization of the country’s water resources. After 2023, the ministry took over the management of significant projects worth a total of 2.5 billion euros from the Ministry of Rural Development.
80% of these investments concern irrigation systems, while the remaining 20% covers water supply projects. For the first time in the country’s modern history, these dams and flood protection interventions compose a comprehensive national water plan.
Within this strategy’s framework, the contract with the AKTOR group was signed for the Bramianoi dam in Lasithi, while simultaneously the construction of the Asopos dam in North Corinthia was unblocked. Studies for the latter are expected to be completed soon, so construction can proceed within 18 months from contract signing. Additionally, implementation of the Tsiknia dam in Lesvos is progressing.
Major road and transport projects shaping the future
Alongside hydraulic projects, strategically important road and transport projects that will redefine the infrastructure landscape are at the planning center:
• The new triple Skaramanga junction
• The metro extension to Kalamaria with completion target February 2026
• The northwestern extension of Thessaloniki metro
Special emphasis was given to Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs). Christos Dimas acknowledged the existence of delays for which the public sector bears significant responsibility, stressing however that companies must also better understand the requirements of such partnerships, as technical issues and tensions often arise.
Despite difficulties, PPPs remain a crucial development tool and significant projects are already being implemented: Drama – Amphipolis with approved tender, the Thessaloniki – Edessa road axis to be announced immediately, Rizomylos – Kalamata – Methoni and of course VOAK.
The minister concluded by emphasizing that the state now sets strict timetables and insists on adhering to them, with the characteristic example being the Kalamaria metro extension, for which he assured it will be completed in February 2026.
