“Discover Hong Kong”- A joint event organised by SEV, ACCI and Enterprise Greece to highlight business opportunities in Hong Kong
Significant opportunities for bilateral trade in the sectors of cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, the primary sector, as well as luxury goods were highlighted in the event “Discover Hong Kong”, which was jointly organised by the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises (SEV), the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Enterprise Greece with the support of Eurobank, on March 2nd, 2023.
The event aimed to strengthen economic relations with Hong Kong as well as to inform Greek export companies on the possibilities to expand their activities in the region. Hong Kong is one of the most important financial centres and commercial ports in the world and a gateway for exports to China. It is the world’s tenth largest exporter and ninth largest importer, with an economy focused on services, low taxation and free trade. Its currency, the Hong Kong dollar, is the eighth most traded currency in the world. Hong Kong is part of the wider Great Bay Area, in which the Chinese side also prioritizes investments in high-tech sectors.
Greek exports to Hong Kong include cosmetics, fruit, luxury items and medicines, while incoming tourism from Hong Kong also presents an important perspective, due to the high income of its residents. More than 60 companies and stakeholders attended the event.
Ms Vicky Makrigianni, Director of International Relations and Regional Development at SEV, stated: “Hong Kong’s geographical location benefits from international access to various markets in Asia. With a strong infrastructure and reliable telecommunication systems, it constitutes an attractive environment for any company seeking to expand its business activities. Opportunities for exporters arise in various sectors such as agriculture, cosmetics, construction, environmental technologies, healthcare, financial services and ICT (Information and Communication) technologies”.
Mr Tassos Iossifidis, Member of the Board of the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), representing the President Ms Sofia Kounenaki Efraimoglou, said: “Hong Kong ranks highest in the Economic Freedom Index, is an open business environment for business activities and trade, and features one of the friendliest tax systems in the world. Despite the geographical distance between Greece and Hong Kong, there is significant scope for further improvement of our bilateral relations”.
In his greeting remarks, Mr Panagiotis Hassapis, Executive Vice President of Greek Exporters Association (SEVE), stated: “Hong Kong is an extremely promising market for Greek exporters as it exhibits intense commercial activity. It ranks 5th in global imports and 6th in global exports of products, with the total value of imports of goods and services exceeding 650 billion euros. However, Greek export activity in this market is at very low levels, namely at 85 million euros (2022). With “Discover Hong Kong” this can change. Greek exporters must get to know the Hong Kong market and be informed about the prospects it offers, especially in the fields of trade, logistics and new technologies”.
Ιn the first part of the event, Ms Paula Kant, from Invest Hong Kong, Mr Gianluca Mirante, from the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and Ms Eleni Albandi, from Eurobank, presented the business and investment opportunities offered by the Hong Kong market. The second section of the event focused on doing business in the Hong Kong market, with Mr Panagiotis Drosos from Korres company, Mr Elias Katsogiannis from Vianex, and Mr Stratos Pourzitakis from the Hellenic Chamber in Hong Kong sharing their experiences from entering and operating in this market.
, the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Enterprise Greece with the support of Eurobank, on March 2nd, 2023.</p>
<p>The event aimed to strengthen economic relations with Hong Kong as well as to inform Greek export companies on the possibilities to expand their activities in the region. Hong Kong is one of the most important financial centres and commercial ports in the world and a gateway for exports to China. It is the world’s tenth largest exporter and ninth largest importer, with an economy focused on services, low taxation and free trade. Its currency, the Hong Kong dollar, is the eighth most traded currency in the world. Hong Kong is part of the wider Great Bay Area, in which the Chinese side also prioritizes investments in high-tech sectors.</p>
<p>Greek exports to Hong Kong include cosmetics, fruit, luxury items and medicines, while incoming tourism from Hong Kong also presents an important perspective, due to the high income of its residents. More than 60 companies and stakeholders attended the event.</p>
<p>Ms Vicky Makrigianni, Director of International Relations and Regional Development at SEV, stated: “Hong Kong’s geographical location benefits from international access to various markets in Asia. With a strong infrastructure and reliable telecommunication systems, it constitutes an attractive environment for any company seeking to expand its business activities. Opportunities for exporters arise in various sectors such as agriculture, cosmetics, construction, environmental technologies, healthcare, financial services and ICT (Information and Communication) technologies”.</p>
<p>Mr Tassos Iossifidis, Member of the Board of the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), representing the President Ms Sofia Kounenaki Efraimoglou, said: “Hong Kong ranks highest in the Economic Freedom Index, is an open business environment for business activities and trade, and features one of the friendliest tax systems in the world. Despite the geographical distance between Greece and Hong Kong, there is significant scope for further improvement of our bilateral relations”.</p>
<p>In his greeting remarks, Mr Panagiotis Hassapis, Executive Vice President of Greek Exporters Association (SEVE), stated: “Hong Kong is an extremely promising market for Greek exporters as it exhibits intense commercial activity. It ranks 5th in global imports and 6th in global exports of products, with the total value of imports of goods and services exceeding 650 billion euros. However, Greek export activity in this market is at very low levels, namely at 85 million euros (2022). With “Discover Hong Kong” this can change. Greek exporters must get to know the Hong Kong market and be informed about the prospects it offers, especially in the fields of trade, logistics and new technologies”.</p>
<p>Ιn the first part of the event, Ms Paula Kant, from Invest Hong Kong, Mr Gianluca Mirante, from the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and Ms Eleni Albandi, from Eurobank, presented the business and investment opportunities offered by the Hong Kong market. The second section of the event focused on doing business in the Hong Kong market, with Mr Panagiotis Drosos from Korres company, Mr Elias Katsogiannis from Vianex, and Mr Stratos Pourzitakis from the Hellenic Chamber in Hong Kong sharing their experiences from entering and operating in this market.</p>/sddefault.webp)