1st Arab-Hellenic economic forum in Athens September 15, 2006 The first-ever Arab-Hellenic economic forum was held in Athens on Friday, with the primary focus on expanding tourism markets, both ways. Tourism Development Minister Fani Palli-Petralia, among others, noted that private investments in the greater Athens area's hotel sector alone -- renovations and new construction -- have reached 500 million euros. Lebanese Tourism Minister Joseph Sakris also addressed the forum, where he detailed the catastrophic consequences, as he said, that recent warfare inflicted on his country's tourism sector and infrastructure. Finally, the president of the association of Greek tourism and travel agents (HATTA), Yiannis Evangelou, said the number of Greek tourists to Syria, for instance, doubled in 2006. On the sidelines of the event, representatives of the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry (EBEA) signed a memorandum of cooperation with the corresponding chamber in the UAE city of Sharjah. Author : Athens News Agency