“Discover China”-Informative event by Enterprise Greece, SEV, EVEA and SEVE on business opportunities in China
Athens, July 8th 2024 | The event “Discover China” was held by Enterprise Greece, the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises (SEV), the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry (A.C.C.I.) and the Greek Exporters Association (SEVE), with the support of Eurobank, on Tuesday, July 2nd, 2024, at SEV’s offices. The event aimed at briefing Greek businesses on the prospects, business and investment opportunities presented by the Chinese market, the potential for the penetration of Greek products, as well as intellectual property issues.
As it was underlined, China’s economy is one of the strongest economies in the world, has been growing steadily over the last decades and can be a major attraction for Greek businesses. Some of the main sectors of interest to Greek exporters wishing to enter the Chinese market are food and beverages, agricultural products, construction and building materials, as well as pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.
However, it is a competitive and relatively complex market. Exporters need to be informed, to be in constant contact with importers and to analyse both current market data and estimates of future market developments. Another important aspect is intellectual property protection, through the registration of patents and trademarks with the relevant Chinese authorities.
More than 85 businesses and institutional bodies participated in the event.
In her address, Ms. Vicky Makrygianni, SEV’s Director of International Relations & Regional Policy, said: “China, with its dynamic economy and huge market, offers a large number of opportunities for Greek exporters. As the world’s second largest economy, China has shown remarkable growth and resilience, constituting a global hub for trade and investment. The country’s thriving middle class, with its growing purchasing power and demand for high quality products, is an ideal market for Greek products and services. Greek products, known for their quality, authenticity and uniqueness, have a special appeal in China. From our fine olive oil and fine wines to high quality dairy, seafood and handmade products, Greece has a lot to offer. At the same time, there are potential opportunities for Greek exporters in the construction, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics sectors, as well as in technological equipment. Chinese consumers are increasingly looking for diverse, high-quality international products, and Greek exports are well placed to meet this demand.”
In her address, Ms. Sophia Efraimoglou-Kounenaki, A.C.C.I.’s President, underlined the following: “China is the driving force of global economy. In 2023, it was the top commodity exporter for the seventh consecutive year and the second top commodity importer. It is Greece’s third largest trading partner. Greek exports to China have significantly increased in recent decades. However, they fall short of the real potential and opportunities presented by this specific market. Prospects for further strengthening and supporting the presence of Greek businesses in China: through networking activities, the development of business contacts, as well as by participating in major trade fairs, in order to improve the visibility and awareness of Greek products. For many years now, EVEA has been trying to open up channels of contact and cooperation with business organisations in China. We have signed Memoranda of Understanding with numerous business and state bodies in China, and have held fruitful bilateral meetings within the framework of visits and business missions. Over the past months, we have had a number of contacts with key business bodies in China. For our part, we are committed to consistently support the efforts of Greek businesses to penetrate the Chinese markets.”
The CEO of Enterprise Greece, Dr. Marinos Giannopoulos, said: “In recent years, Greece and China have developed a mutually beneficial economic cooperation. A symbol of this cooperation is the Chinese investment in the port of Piraeus, transforming it into one of the busiest container ports in Europe. Since then, a steadily increasing trade flow towards the Chinese market has been noted, aided by Greece’s repeated participation in China International Import Expo with its own stand. The high quality Greek products exported to this market range from fine food products to pharmaceuticals, building materials and technological applications in various sectors, including shipping. China is a priority market for Greek exporters and, with this event, we are seeking new trade opportunities for the consolidation of Greek-Chinese relations, looking forward to our countries’ economic prosperity.”
In his address, Mr. Panagiotis Hasapis, SEVE’s Executive Vice President, underlined the following: “In a rapidly growing country such as China, there are numerous prospects for boosting extroversion. In 2023, imports from China reached €6.9 billion, with the main import products being electrical appliances/machinery and boilers, and with a total import value of €1.5 billion for each one. On the other hand, exports amounted to €384 million, with the marble sector being the main export sector with an export value of €104 million. The fact that the value of Greek exports equals 0.01% of China’s total imports value, which amount to €3.039 trillion, proves the dynamics available by the Chinese market to enhance Greece’s extroversion. The growing GDP per capita, which has tripled from $4.5 thousand in 2010 to $13.2 thousand in 2023, is expected to cause changes in the demand by Chinese consumers who, enjoying higher incomes, will focus their demand on high value-added goods. This will create valuable opportunities for Greek exporters, with an emphasis on sectors such as food and beverages.”
Mr. Davide ORLANDI, EU Partnerships Manager, EU SME Centre, also addressed the participants.
Then, Mr. Xiao JUNZHENG, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Greece, and Ms. Ioanna Bandeli, Consultant of Economic and Commercial Affairs (ECA) A’ in B5 Directorate for Bilateral Economic Relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, took the floor. A special presentation followed, by Mr. Alessio PETINO, Business Advisor, EU SME Centre, who provided useful information and practical advice for Greek companies to enter the Chinese market, while he also referred to the opportunities and challenges of the Chinese food and beverage market, as well as to ways of effective penetration for Greek products. In the last session of the event, Ms. Catherine Heng Yee HUYNH, China IP SME Helpdesk, spoke about how to protect intellectual property rights in China.
, the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry (A.C.C.I.) and the Greek Exporters Association (SEVE), with the support of Eurobank, on Tuesday, July 2nd, 2024, at SEV's offices. The event aimed at briefing Greek businesses on the prospects, business and investment opportunities presented by the Chinese market, the potential for the penetration of Greek products, as well as intellectual property issues.</p>
<p><br />As it was underlined, China's economy is one of the strongest economies in the world, has been growing steadily over the last decades and can be a major attraction for Greek businesses. Some of the main sectors of interest to Greek exporters wishing to enter the Chinese market are food and beverages, agricultural products, construction and building materials, as well as pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.</p>
<p>However, it is a competitive and relatively complex market. Exporters need to be informed, to be in constant contact with importers and to analyse both current market data and estimates of future market developments. Another important aspect is intellectual property protection, through the registration of patents and trademarks with the relevant Chinese authorities.</p>
<p>More than 85 businesses and institutional bodies participated in the event.</p>
<p>In her address, Ms. Vicky Makrygianni, SEV’s Director of International Relations & Regional Policy, said: "China, with its dynamic economy and huge market, offers a large number of opportunities for Greek exporters. As the world's second largest economy, China has shown remarkable growth and resilience, constituting a global hub for trade and investment. The country's thriving middle class, with its growing purchasing power and demand for high quality products, is an ideal market for Greek products and services. Greek products, known for their quality, authenticity and uniqueness, have a special appeal in China. From our fine olive oil and fine wines to high quality dairy, seafood and handmade products, Greece has a lot to offer. At the same time, there are potential opportunities for Greek exporters in the construction, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics sectors, as well as in technological equipment. Chinese consumers are increasingly looking for diverse, high-quality international products, and Greek exports are well placed to meet this demand."</p>
<p>In her address, Ms. Sophia Efraimoglou-Kounenaki, A.C.C.I.’s President, underlined the following: "China is the driving force of global economy. In 2023, it was the top commodity exporter for the seventh consecutive year and the second top commodity importer. It is Greece's third largest trading partner. Greek exports to China have significantly increased in recent decades. However, they fall short of the real potential and opportunities presented by this specific market. Prospects for further strengthening and supporting the presence of Greek businesses in China: through networking activities, the development of business contacts, as well as by participating in major trade fairs, in order to improve the visibility and awareness of Greek products. For many years now, EVEA has been trying to open up channels of contact and cooperation with business organisations in China. We have signed Memoranda of Understanding with numerous business and state bodies in China, and have held fruitful bilateral meetings within the framework of visits and business missions. Over the past months, we have had a number of contacts with key business bodies in China. For our part, we are committed to consistently support the efforts of Greek businesses to penetrate the Chinese markets."</p>
<p>The CEO of Enterprise Greece, Dr. Marinos Giannopoulos, said: "In recent years, Greece and China have developed a mutually beneficial economic cooperation. A symbol of this cooperation is the Chinese investment in the port of Piraeus, transforming it into one of the busiest container ports in Europe. Since then, a steadily increasing trade flow towards the Chinese market has been noted, aided by Greece's repeated participation in China International Import Expo with its own stand. The high quality Greek products exported to this market range from fine food products to pharmaceuticals, building materials and technological applications in various sectors, including shipping. China is a priority market for Greek exporters and, with this event, we are seeking new trade opportunities for the consolidation of Greek-Chinese relations, looking forward to our countries’ economic prosperity.”</p>
<p>In his address, Mr. Panagiotis Hasapis, SEVE’s Executive Vice President, underlined the following: "In a rapidly growing country such as China, there are numerous prospects for boosting extroversion. In 2023, imports from China reached €6.9 billion, with the main import products being electrical appliances/machinery and boilers, and with a total import value of €1.5 billion for each one. On the other hand, exports amounted to €384 million, with the marble sector being the main export sector with an export value of €104 million. The fact that the value of Greek exports equals 0.01% of China's total imports value, which amount to €3.039 trillion, proves the dynamics available by the Chinese market to enhance Greece’s extroversion. The growing GDP per capita, which has tripled from $4.5 thousand in 2010 to $13.2 thousand in 2023, is expected to cause changes in the demand by Chinese consumers who, enjoying higher incomes, will focus their demand on high value-added goods. This will create valuable opportunities for Greek exporters, with an emphasis on sectors such as food and beverages."</p>
<p>Mr. Davide ORLANDI, EU Partnerships Manager, EU SME Centre, also addressed the participants.</p>
<p>Then, Mr. Xiao JUNZHENG, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Greece, and Ms. Ioanna Bandeli, Consultant of Economic and Commercial Affairs (ECA) A’ in B5 Directorate for Bilateral Economic Relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, took the floor. A special presentation followed, by Mr. Alessio PETINO, Business Advisor, EU SME Centre, who provided useful information and practical advice for Greek companies to enter the Chinese market, while he also referred to the opportunities and challenges of the Chinese food and beverage market, as well as to ways of effective penetration for Greek products. In the last session of the event, Ms. Catherine Heng Yee HUYNH, China IP SME Helpdesk, spoke about how to protect intellectual property rights in China.</p>/sddefault.webp)