Greece took part in the International Shipping Exhibition “INMEX SMM India Mumbai” for the first time.

Athens, October 19, 2023 | Enterprise Greece, with the goal of increasing Greek business extroversion and exports to countries outside the European Union, participated for the first time in the International Shipping Exhibition “INMEX SMM India Mumbai,” South Asia’s largest shipping exhibition-conference, which took place from October 4 to 6 at the Bombay Exhibition Center.
The expo “INMEX SMM India Mumbai,” held for the first time after the epidemic, drew 250 exhibitors from 20 countries in an exhibiting area of 4600+ square meters, with an attendance of 8,300.

With total imports of roughly $900 million per year, India is the world’s fifth largest importer of maritime equipment behind the United States, Germany, Japan, and China, and has emerged as one of the fastest developing economies. The shipping sector in the nation is witnessing additional expansion and transformation, particularly in terms of green and digital transformations. The country boasts one of the largest ship recycling businesses, and the “Maritime Vision 2030” initiative is now ongoing, with the goal of making the country a global leader. Mumbai, the exhibition’s host city, is a significant financial and economic hub in India and one of the world’s ten largest financial centers.

As a result of the above, Enterprise Greece created the national pavilion, in which 7 HEMEXPO members indicated an interest in expanding their activities in the Indian market. The national pavilion included D. Koronakis, Ergomatic, EVAL, Farad, Prisma Electronics, and Seabright, as well as Environmental Protection Engineering and Erma First.

Hundreds of shipyard executives, shipping companies, shipping agencies, and others visited the Greek pavilion during the exhibition, as did the Head of the Economic and Commercial Affairs Office of the Greek Embassy in New Delhi, Mr. Gerasimos Lazaris, as well as B2B business meetings with potential buyers.

Aside from Greece, Germany prepared a national pavilion (with 16 firms), and it is worth highlighting that a green technology pavilion for shipping was organized since this problem is high on the agenda in the region.

Ms. Betty Alexandropoulou, Executive Director Member of the Board of Directors of Enterprise Greece, stated: “The organization of the national pavilion at INMEX SMM India Mumbai strengthens Enterprise Greece’s active support for the opening of Greek shipping companies in Asia, particularly in the Indian market.” Following the G20 summit’s decisions, which provide for India’s direct connectivity to the Eastern Mediterranean, and the Prime Minister of India’s recent visit to Greece, the area assumes even more significance at this moment. The Indian market looks to offer outstanding possibilities for our commercial activities and attract investment, with a 25% growth rate predicted over the next five years.”

“India is looking for commercial partnerships in the shipping sector,” said HEMEXPO President Eleni Polychronopoulou. We are here to represent Greece, the country with the world’s largest shipping sector, and this provides us a comparative advantage since Indian enterprises are keen to learn more about Greek maritime equipment makers.”