Debt-ridden Greece will take advantage of its strong political relationship with Arab countries and ask them to pump capital into its ailing economy when they meet in Athens in September, organisers said on Monday.

The Arab-Greek Chamber and the Federation of the GCC Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FGCCI) will sponsor the September 23-25 conference, entitled ‘Fostering business alliances to tap emerging opportunities’.

Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou will open the symposium that will be attended by scores of Arab and Greek ministers, officials, diplomats and businessmen.

“This conference is intended to support economic relations between Arab countries and Greece and identify investment opportunities in the two areas. Both sides will try to promote and present investment projects covering various fields, including energy, renewable energy, banking and financial services, trade, construction and transport,” the FGCCI said.

“The conference will also include bilateral meetings between the two sides to discuss commercial deals and joint investment ventures.”

The FGCCI, comprising private sector representatives from the six-nation Gulf Co-operation Council, said Arab nations already have strong economic links with Greece, with their two-way trade peaking at nearly $5 billion (Dh18.36bn) in 2009. The balance was largely in favour of the Arab side, it said.