1st China International Import Expo
Athens, 16 November 2018| Enterprise Greece has organized the wide ranging Greek participation in the first ever China International Import Expo (CIIE) and the “Greece meets China” business forum in Shanghai earlier this month. The trade mission to China – the world’s biggest market – is part of Enterprise Greece’s ongoing efforts to support the outward orientation of the Greek economy and promote exports.
The CIIE, held 5-10 November 2018, was inaugurated by the People’s Republic of China to create channels of cooperation with countries and regions around the world, further develop the enormous potential of its market and boost the global economy. More than 3,600 companies from 172 countries participated in the Expo, and at least 400,000 buyers visited. Agreements totaling $57.8 billion were signed, of which $12.7 billion were in the food & beverage sector.
It is estimated that over the next 15 years imports to China will rise by $40 trillion, making the Chinese market a high priority for Greek exporters.
The Greek pavilion in the Expo showcased the country’s leading products and growth potential with an emphasis on the agri-food sector and services, tourism, culture, and the investment environment. The Region of the Peloponnese participated with local companies in the food & beverage section of the pavilion. The Hellenic Wine Association and the Hellenic Federation of Olive Oil Standardization Industries met with Chinese importers and signed initial orders.
Also as part of the Greek presence, Enterprise Greece, in cooperation with the Office of Economic and Commercial Affairs of the Greek Consulate in Shanghai, organized B2B sessions for 22 food & beverage exporting companies, which resulted in more than 120 business meetings with Chinese companies. The Greek delegation made concrete proposals for cooperation and presented the advantages of the Mediterranean diet and lifestyle, as exemplified by Greek food & beverage products.
In addition, a business forum on “Greece Meets China” was organized, in cooperation with the Office of Economic and Commercial Affairs, where the potential for development cooperation with China was presented. The Greek participation in the 1st CIIE 2018 was welcomed by the General Director of the Ministry of Economic Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, Ms. Jhou. Among the speakers were the Secretary General of the Ministry of Economy and Development, Elias Xanthakos, the Greek Ambassador to China, Leonidas Rokanas, Enterprise Greece Chairman and CEO, Grigoris Stergioulis, the Vice President of the Greek National Tourism Organization, Angeliki Chondromatidou, the Head of the Office of Economic and Commercial Affairs of the Greek Consulate in Shanghai, Dimitris Mihas, and the Head of the Communications Office of the Greek Embassy in Beijing, Mr. Efthimios Athanasiadis.
Finally, a tasting event of Greek wines and Greek olive oil was held for a select audience at Hellas House, a venue showcasing Greece in Shanghai, where Chinese sommeliers and gourmets were introduced to the quality and varieties of these two iconic Greek products.
The official Greek mission, led by Deputy Foreign Minister Professor George Katrougalos, held meetings with large Chinese companies to explore partnership prospects. The members of the mission were the Secretary General of the Ministry of Economy and Development, Elias Xanthakos, the Ambassador of Greece to Beijing, Leonidas Rokanas, the Chairman and CEO of Enterprise Greece, Grigoris Stergioulis, the Consul General of Greece in Shanghai, Vassilis Xiros, and the Director of the Office of ANYPEX, Z. Despos.
Grigoris Stergioulis, Chairman and CEO of Enterprise Greece, said: “Greece is an ideal place for international business in a globalized economy. It is at the crossroads for trade, transport and energy distribution between Asia, Africa and Europe. Greece combines a geostrategic position with a deep cultural heritage, a mild climate and unparalleled natural beauty, offering at the same time competitive costs and highly skilled human resources. The Greek participation in the 1st CIIE 2018 is another important step in the excellent relationship between Greece and China. Greek exporters have impressed visitors at the CIIE exhibition with the quality of their products and their commitment to serving their customers.”
 and the “Greece meets China” business forum in Shanghai earlier this month. The trade mission to China – the world’s biggest market – is part of Enterprise Greece’s ongoing efforts to support the outward orientation of the Greek economy and promote exports.</p>
<p>The CIIE, held 5-10 November 2018, was inaugurated by the People's Republic of China to create channels of cooperation with countries and regions around the world, further develop the enormous potential of its market and boost the global economy. More than 3,600 companies from 172 countries participated in the Expo, and at least 400,000 buyers visited. Agreements totaling $57.8 billion were signed, of which $12.7 billion were in the food & beverage sector.</p>
<p>It is estimated that over the next 15 years imports to China will rise by $40 trillion, making the Chinese market a high priority for Greek exporters.</p>
<p>The Greek pavilion in the Expo showcased the country’s leading products and growth potential with an emphasis on the agri-food sector and services, tourism, culture, and the investment environment. The Region of the Peloponnese participated with local companies in the food & beverage section of the pavilion. The Hellenic Wine Association and the Hellenic Federation of Olive Oil Standardization Industries met with Chinese importers and signed initial orders.</p>
<p>Also as part of the Greek presence, Enterprise Greece, in cooperation with the Office of Economic and Commercial Affairs of the Greek Consulate in Shanghai, organized B2B sessions for 22 food & beverage exporting companies, which resulted in more than 120 business meetings with Chinese companies. The Greek delegation made concrete proposals for cooperation and presented the advantages of the Mediterranean diet and lifestyle, as exemplified by Greek food & beverage products.</p>
<p>In addition, a business forum on "Greece Meets China" was organized, in cooperation with the Office of Economic and Commercial Affairs, where the potential for development cooperation with China was presented. The Greek participation in the 1st CIIE 2018 was welcomed by the General Director of the Ministry of Economic Affairs of the People's Republic of China, Ms. Jhou. Among the speakers were the Secretary General of the Ministry of Economy and Development, Elias Xanthakos, the Greek Ambassador to China, Leonidas Rokanas, Enterprise Greece Chairman and CEO, Grigoris Stergioulis, the Vice President of the Greek National Tourism Organization, Angeliki Chondromatidou, the Head of the Office of Economic and Commercial Affairs of the Greek Consulate in Shanghai, Dimitris Mihas, and the Head of the Communications Office of the Greek Embassy in Beijing, Mr. Efthimios Athanasiadis.</p>
<p>Finally, a tasting event of Greek wines and Greek olive oil was held for a select audience at Hellas House, a venue showcasing Greece in Shanghai, where Chinese sommeliers and gourmets were introduced to the quality and varieties of these two iconic Greek products.</p>
<p>The official Greek mission, led by Deputy Foreign Minister Professor George Katrougalos, held meetings with large Chinese companies to explore partnership prospects. The members of the mission were the Secretary General of the Ministry of Economy and Development, Elias Xanthakos, the Ambassador of Greece to Beijing, Leonidas Rokanas, the Chairman and CEO of Enterprise Greece, Grigoris Stergioulis, the Consul General of Greece in Shanghai, Vassilis Xiros, and the Director of the Office of ANYPEX, Z. Despos.</p>
<p>Grigoris Stergioulis, Chairman and CEO of Enterprise Greece, said: "Greece is an ideal place for international business in a globalized economy. It is at the crossroads for trade, transport and energy distribution between Asia, Africa and Europe. Greece combines a geostrategic position with a deep cultural heritage, a mild climate and unparalleled natural beauty, offering at the same time competitive costs and highly skilled human resources. The Greek participation in the 1st CIIE 2018 is another important step in the excellent relationship between Greece and China. Greek exporters have impressed visitors at the CIIE exhibition with the quality of their products and their commitment to serving their customers."</p>/sddefault.webp)