Siemens

Siemens AG “went to town” on Wednesday by winning an eight-billion-euro order by Egypt to build gas and wind power plants in the country, called the biggest single order in the German multinational’s history.
The announcement came as Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi was on an official visit to Germany.

Parliament launched its latest inquiry into the Siemens cash-for-contracts scandal on Tuesday, with the head of the previous committee - former PASOK MP Syfis Valyrakis - being called as the first witness.

Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis underlined the political, moral and legal commitment of the Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) government to shed light on the Siemens scandal in a document he submitted to Greek Parliament. The document was submitted in response to a question submitted by Independent Greeks (ANEL) deputy Nikos Nikolopoulos regarding the out-of-court settlement with Siemens.

A 61-year-old former Siemens Hellas executive was found dead on Sunday from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. His body was found in the foothills beneath Mt. Hymettus, which overlooks greater Athens from the east.

A suicide note and weapon were located next to the body, with the handwriting on the note reportedly matching the victim’s. The reason cited was economic problems.

The settlement between Siemens and the Greek State will be set at the forefront of a new investigation which the government will begin on Siemens’ ‘hidden coffers”.

Parliament Speaker Zoe Konstantopoulou recommended on Thursday that two ongoing corruption cases sent to Parliament be brought up the pending cases. The cases that are being made a priority are one relating to the Siemens scandal and one to the so-called ‘Lagarde list’.

Greek Parliament was expected to re-examine the cases of the Siemens bribe scandal and the Lagarde list, following an order issued by House Speaker Zoe Constantopoulou on Thursday in her capacity as head of the House's Special Permanent Committee on Institutions and Transparency.

Foreign investors "can count on support"

SUBOTICA -- Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic has told foreign investors they can "count on support from the central and local governments."

Speaking on Wednesday as he toured Swarovski and Siemens plants in the northern town of Subotica, Vucic added that he "expects foreign investors will create more jobs."

BELGRADE - Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic said Wednesday that foreign investors could count on support from the central and local governments, adding that he expected they would create more new jobs.

A Swiss-French banker alleged to be a key figure in the Siemens cash-for-contracts scandal and implicated in corrupt arms deals is to spend Easter in Greek custody after testifying before an investigating magistrate.

The 55-year-old, identified in the media as Jean-Claude Oswald, was extradited to Greece earlier last week following his arrest in Abu Dhabi.