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Alphabet’s Google announced its first cloud region in Greece, bolstering the country’s aspirations to become a cloud computing powerhouse. According to Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the agreement is expected to add €2.2 billion ($2.13 billion) to Greece’s economy and generate 20,000 jobs by 2030.

Mitsotakis’ administration has increased efforts to diversify the nation’s economy and attract foreign investment and high-tech firms after the country emerged from a decade-long financial crisis in 2018.

Adaire Fox-Martin, president of Google Cloud International, said at an event in Athens that Google was excited to announce its first cloud region in Greece, which will provide storage and cloud services to Google customers.

Google’s job creation acknowledged

According to Fox-Martin, the effort will allow enterprises to better utilize their data, boost low latency and protect customers from cybersecurity risks. Joining Microsoft and Amazon’s efforts in Greece, Google will build cutting-edge infrastructure and a regional cloud service hub.

The proposal will make Greece one of the few nations outside of North America in which the three main cloud service providers have a physical presence.

Mitsotakis also praised Google’s decision to establish two centres of excellence in Thessaloniki and Patras while asserting that ten thousand jobless individuals had their skills enhanced due to the company’s collaboration with the employment ministry.

Mitsotakis hails Google as part of a ‘silent revolution’

Mitsotakis emphasized the government’s intention to invest in Greece’s digital leap to improve citizen services while simultaneously supporting and strengthening the economy.

He talked of a “silent revolution” that has occurred in Greece over the past three years due to the government’s adoption of digital technology in the realm of civil services.

Mitsotakis stated that the government’s investments in cutting-edge areas remain a focus. He also stated that more than €10 billion from the Recovery Fund and the NSRF would be invested in all output areas, from agriculture to manufacturing and services.

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