Minister of Digital Governance visits the Telekom IT hub, Deutsche Telekom’s new big investment in Greece
- Another vote of confidence in the country’s growth prospects by Deutsche Telekom
- Greece evolves into a tech hub with Thessaloniki in focus
- 200 hiring positions in the critical IT sector
- State-of-the-art premises at the center of Thessaloniki within 2023
The Greek Minister of Digital Governance Kyriakos Pierrakakis visited Deutsche Telekom Group’s new Telekom IT hub in the center of Thessaloniki. The hub, branded “T-Digital”, reaffirms Deutsche Telekom’s commitment to Greece and its growth prospects, deploying a large investment that enables Thessaloniki to stand out as a tech hub and enhances the country’s technological profile.
Deutsche Telekom Group CIO and CEO of Telekom IT Peter Leukert, and the Chairman and CEO of OTE Group Michael Tsamaz, provided a tour in the company’s premises to the Minister. Thodoris Livanios, Deputy Minister of Digital Governance and Stavros Kalafatis, Deputy Minister of Interior, also participated in the visit. During the tour, Mr. Pierrakakis discussed with the IT Experts already working in the hub, and Mr. Leukert shared the company’s vision and plan to evolve into one of the most innovative IT hubs in the European footprint.
The Minister of Digital Governance, K. Pierrakakis, stated: “We are delighted to be at the new hub of Deutsche Telekom, located in Thessaloniki. Over 250 people are already employed here, a number that is expected to double according to Deutsche Telekom, within almost 2 years. The overall workforce of the Telekom IT hub, will amount to 500 people. The hub develops software for Germany and for other countries as well. I think it is paramount that Greece becomes part of the global technological map. It is very important that our country is moving forward in a fast pace, taking steps that seemed far-fetched in the past and now have become obvious”.
The overall workforce of the Telekom IT hub, IT Experts and managerial staff, will amount to 500 people. More than 250 employees have already been transferred from abroad, while more than 200 additional IT professionals will be hired locally.
The investment has been deployed with the significant contribution of the Ministry of Migration and Asylum, which activated the state mechanisms and accelerated the procedure for the hub’s establishment and set-up in Greece. Among others, it facilitated the IT Experts’ immediate transfer and relocation, securing their residence permit. At the same time, there was close cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to facilitate entry into the country, and the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and IDIKΑ (e-Government Center for Social Security Services) for their registration to health care and social insurance systems, in order to complete their recruitment process.
The Minister of Migration and Asylum, Notis Mitarachi, commented: “The hub is an iconic investment for Thessaloniki that will boost the local economy. Except for the residence permit, the beneficiaries were registered to health care and social insurance systems, for the Ministry to complete their recruitment process. The procedure started on June 6th and was completed early July, proving that the Public Administration can go the extra mile and provide solutions to the private sector”.
The hub is temporarily based in OTE Group’s premises in Thessaloniki. Within 2023, all employees will be settled in a renovated, state-of-the-art and environmentally friendly OTE Group building in the center of Thessaloniki.
Peter Leukert, Group CIO and CEO of Telekom IT, stated: “IT is crucial for Deutsche Telekom’s success as leading Digital Telco. Telekom IT employs 10,000 software and new technology experts, in different countries. We have chosen Greece for the establishment of the new Telekom IT hub, because Deutsche Telekom believes in the country’s growth prospects, and its workforce expertise. The visit of Mr. Pierrakakis proves that the government believes in Technology as a power for growth. I am massively impressed by speed of the Greek public sector and very grateful to the government for the very strong support”.
The Chairman and CEO of OTE Group, Mr. Michael Tsamaz, noted: “The establishment of T-Digital in Thessaloniki reaffirms the commitment of OTE Group’s main shareholder, Deutsche Telekom, to Greece’s growth prospects. This investment turns Thessaloniki into a tech hub, creating value for the local community, as well as for the country”.