Revitalization of Traditional Industrial Areas in South East Europe - ReTInA Short presentation Budapest, 2-3 July 2009

Rodopi Region.. Rodopi is a provincial Region of NE Greece, located in the Eastern Macedonia and Thrace. Komotini is the administrative centre of the prefecture of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace. With base inventory of 2001 the population of Prefecture Rodopi amounts 110.828 residents. Rodopi is a crossroad of people and cultures. It is the linking part of West to the East, of North to the South. Komotini, with 53.000 citizens, is the biggest city of the prefecture of Rodopi and thus is the capital. Demokritus University of Thrace in Komotini is an educational and intellectual center. Prefecture of Rodopi is…

Industrial Area of Komotini.. 3rd in magnitude among the Greek industrial areas Since 1978,functions the Industrial Area, one of the largest ones in Greece, which takes up an expanse of 4.332 ha, with organized spaces of green and domestic road network Today about 100 units are established in the Industrial Area: 65 units are in function Almost 17 are totally abandoned at least for 15 years some of the rest have been renovated Regarding the ownership scheme, there are banks, private individuals and the Greek State The greater part of the infrastructure has already been completed, thus today it has a fully equipped water supply network with its own aqueduct and a sewerage network. Furthermore, the Unit of Waste Cleaning (Biological Cleaning) has been completed and it operates, while it has its own electrical and telephonic network Today about 70 units are established in the Industrial Area. The city of Komotini is the Administration Center of the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, where the General Secretariat and the Prefectorial Self-Government of Rodopi and Evros have their headquarters. Many other Regional Services and Institutions (Technical Chambers, Economic Chamber, Banks, Telecommunications, Police, Fire Department, University, e.t.c.) have their headquarters too. Egnatia Highway, which crosses the Prefecture of Rodopi, is the obligatory way from Europe to Turkey and Asia, while at the same time is the cross point of the road axis towards Bulgaria, through Nymfaia, where it meets with the European nets. The customs of Nymfaia, which is anticipated to operate, will facilitate the commercial and tourist transportations from and to Europe, since its distance from the city of Komotini is about 25km. Thus, the road is reduced toward the harbor of Porto-Lagos and that of Alexandroupolis, where there is an international airport and a transit commercial center. The industrial development is focused on the Industrial Area of Komotini (VI.PE.KO), which is only 7km from the city center. The VI.PE.KO. is one of the most organized areas of the country and it appears to have the full cover of its current area, while it is anticipated to expand. It is near the Egnatia highway and the fixed requirement of the productive classes is to be connected with the railway network. With the construction of the Factory of the Public Electricity Enterprise (DEI) with natural gas, the use of alternatives and of more economic means of energy is being promoted, not only for productive but for domestic use also. Furthermore, the construction of an oil channel, Bourgas - Alexandroupolis, will reinforce the energy infrastructure of the region. The Greek Commercial Fair "THRACE" operates in Komotini for many years now. It is situated in a well-organized area in VI.PE.KO. It is organized by the International Fair of Thessaloniki S.A. and all the productive institutions and organizations of the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace participate. This fair has already developed to be Balkan Fair since the possibility of promoting products and services not only in the local but in the international market too is given. For the best implementation of various investing programs, national and communal, an intermediate organization of administration operates. It is "DESMOS", which has its headquarters in Komotini and it was established by the Chambers of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace in cooperation with the Prefectorial Self Governments At the same time it is preparing to create an Electronic Commerce Center in the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, with its headquarters in Komotini, which will help the enterprises of the region to take advantage of the current communication and information means. Big Greek and foreign enterprises have perceived these advantages and they have already opened various stores in the area, while others are elaborating specific studies so as to track means to exploit the geographical position of the region.

Industrial Area of Komotini.. I.A.KO. LEGEND         Industrial sites         Manufacture sites        Service center/ Fire station / Exhibition center / Other supplies       Wastewater plant        Natural green

Advantages of the area (I.A.KO) Full cover of broadband applications Natural gas cover (Bourgas- Alexandroupolis) Ultramodern Telecommunication system Productive Unit of Electrical Power Wastewater plant connections

Main challenges for us… coordination and participation of the stakeholders ownership scheme difficulties in information gathering time limit unexpected factors Hopefully, the project will be a good cause to build a collaboration between the municipality, the technical chamber and all investment groups of the area including the owners of the industrial area

Our profile.. replacing D.E.A.KO from May 2009 K.KARATHEODORI S.A. is City of Komotini’s Development S.A replacing D.E.A.KO from May 2009 K.Karatheodori S.A. is responsible for the following: Implementation of EU co-funded projects on behalf of the Municipality. Development of projects related to local development and exploitation of initiatives launched by the EU and other national or international organisations, in collaboration with the public or private institutions, the social institutions and the productive orders. Development of studies and business plans for investments and the wider development of the region. Advisory and technical support in SMEs and other institutions for their participation to national and community developmental programs.

Our profile.. Development of contacts, collaboration and exchange of know-how with national and transnational networks. Implementation of cultural, athletic and social actions for the promotion of culture. Support and development of initiatives for the protection of the environment and eco-systems of the region. Organization of meetings, gatherings and forums etc.

You can contact us.. K.Karatheodori S.A N.Tsanakli 15, 69100 Komotini Tel: +30 25310 81265 Fax: +30 25310 81268 E-mail: info@karatheodori.org Soon you will be able to visit our web-site: www.karatheodori.org

Thank you for your Attention! Papakonstantinou Dimitra Development initiatives & projects