The agri-food sector holds a dominant position in all the regions of Western Greece. The Region has a long tradition in the primary sector, especially in the production of high quality goods, with significant nutritional value. At the same time, the Region holds high market shares in the production of specific agricultural products (e.g. strawberries) and many PDO-PGI and traditional products. The soil in the Region of Western Greece is suitable for frequent alternation of land uses with intense crop production, giving the opportunity for significant differentiation of the products produced.
The tourism sector is an important challenge for all the Regional Units, including the Region of Western Greece. The Region is offered for the development of many different types of tourism, combining traditional and alternative forms of tourism, while it is accessible in various ways.
The fisheries and fish farming sector is a sector of high potential with many investment perspectives for the Region of Western Greece. The sector has a long tradition in Aetolia-Acarnania and its main characteristics are reflected as follows.
Energy production from alternative sources (RES), as well as the reduction of the environmental footprint through energy transformation are strategic goals for Greece in the coming years and are in line with the country's commitments under the European Green Deal.
The Region of Western Greece has a significant competitive advantage in the fields of education and research. High level educational institutions such as University of Patras, are located in n the region while at the same time, a research and innovation ecosystem has been developed through the development of the innovation hub and the science park in Patras. In the region, and mainly in Achaea, there are many innovative high-tech companies, while the University of Patras is the first Greek academic institution that introduced the industrial doctorates.
The Region of Western Greece holds an important geostrategic position as it is the country’s gateway to Western Europe. The port of Patras holds a dominant position, as it is the main point of entry into, and exit from the country, for tourists and cargo containers to, and from all over Europe. The development of the railway and its connection with the port of Patras as well as with other ports of the Region of Western Greece, along with the completion of motor highways in the region, is expected to stimulate combined transport and strengthen the dynamics of the supply chain.
The development of infrastructure is a necessary condition for the development of the Region of Western Greece. Today, the Region lags behind in basic infrastructure (mainly in transport infrastructure), which undermines the competitiveness of its products and services. Deficiencies are observed in all the Regional Units (especially in terms of the railway network).However, the implementation of important infrastructure projects in the coming years (such as the development of the railway network, Patras-Pyrgos highway, etc.) is expected to contribute to the resolution of these problems. Speeding up the completion of the above mentioned projects along with the improvement of the existing infrastructure are expected to strengthen the development perspective of the Region, to significantly increase its competitiveness and to facilitate the transport.