Euronext CEO Stephane Boujnah rejected the possibility of improving or changing the price for the acquisition of Hellenic Exchanges, in the context of the optional public offer running from October 6 up to November 17, during a press conference he gave in Athens on Monday.

“We are not going to raise our bid. If the public offer is rejected, we will not deal with it any further. This is life,” he emphasized, explaining that the acquisition of HELEX “is an important deal for Euronext, but not of existential importance.” However, he noted that, in his opinion, this is a very attractive proposal, which will strengthen the prospects of the Greek market and its listed companies.

The head of Euronext presented the benefits that the deal will have for both parties, giving a vote of confidence in Greece and the prospects of the Greek economy: “We are investing in a country we believe in.”

As he noted, the Athens Stock Exchange will benefit from greater liquidity through integration into a pan-European “pool” of potential investors, in a structured, easier and more economical way, offering more attractive financing terms for Greek companies. “The Greek stock market is already a success story, but it is at a crucial moment where it must take the next step,” he said, underlining that the Greek market is currently disproportionately smaller in relation to the dynamics of the Greek economy.

He also stressed that the deal will enhance the visibility and financing opportunities of Greek SMEs through the implementation of Euronext’s programs, which concern both pre- and post-IPO.

Boujnah further announced that, if the acquisition goes ahead, Euronext plans to proceed with the creation of a Support and Technology Center in Athens from 2026, to support the group’s business sectors, leveraging Greece’s large and attractive workforce – especially in the technology sector.

“This is an initiative that recognizes the great progress Greece has made in the field of digital transformation, and which at the same time constitutes an investment in the human capital of our country,” National Economy and Finance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis commented in a meeting he had with Boujnah afterward.

Source: Ekathimerini.com