Microsoft announces “GR for GRowth” initiative to accelerate digital transformation in Greece

Microsoft today announced that it’s planning to build new data centers in Greece, bringing the total number of Microsoft data centers worldwide to 63. With this new initiative called “GR for GRowth,” the company aims to invest in the cloud services infrastructure, support economic growth, and launch digital skilling programs.

The new data centers will deliver companies local access to Azure, Microsoft 365, and Dynamics 365, along with compliance, security, and privacy combined with data residency. The initiative will also help the company achieve its long-term goal of becoming carbon negative by 2030. 

“By a substantial margin, this is the largest investment Microsoft has made in Greece in the 28 years we have been operating here. In part, this reflects confidence that our world-leading datacenter technology can help enable innovation and growth across Greece’s economy. In addition, this large investment reflects our optimism about Greece’s future, its forward-leaning government, and the country’s ongoing economic recovery,” said Brad Smith, President, Microsoft.

As a part of the digital-skills training program, the new data center would generate more than 10,000 job opportunities for local people by 2025. Microsoft believes that the new investment marks a major milestone in its mission to bring financial benefits of 1.0 billion euros to the country over the next five years. “Microsoft aims to boost the digital competencies of an estimated 100,000 public sector, business and IT professionals, educators, and students to support the digital transformation of public and private organizations,” the company explained.