Greek Exports for 2015
Enterprise Greece presented the positive results of the Greek exports in 2015 at a press conference at its offices today. At the same time, in terms of further promotion of Greek exports, Enterprise Greece presented a wide programme of actions aiming to make foreign trade more outward looking, which the organisation has planned and is implementing in 2016.
The Chairman of Enterprise Greece, Christos Staikos, commented on figures from the Hellenic Statistical Authority for exports in 2015: “The increase of Greek exports by 7,83% in 2015 over 2014, not including mineral oils, is a positive development for the Greek economy, with all sectors, from food to industrial materials, showing an upward trend. As the national body responsible for attracting investment and promoting exports, Enterprise Greece is helping Greek companies to be more outward looking, and will work further to this end, keeping up the momentum this year.”
In this context, a presentation was made of the organisation’s main strategic axes to promote exports. These axes include identifying talented high-level human resources to the direction to create innovative products and services; emphasising the mobilisation and internationalisation of small and medium-sized enterprises and new exporters; promoting new sectors and industries for the creation of innovative products and services with high added value for the Greek economy; choosing and penetrating new markets for Greek products and services; and utilising funding instruments tools such as Partnership Agreement for the Development Framework programmes in sectors of the economy characterised by an outward-looking approach, innovation and high added value.
Based on its strategy, Enterprise Greece has developed an annual action plan for promoting Greek exports, following a public consultation and the strengthening of its collaboration with all stakeholders, including the competent ministries, the Greek regions, sectoral bodies and associations, and Greek exporters.
The plan for 2016 includes actions that address new target markets such as Iran, South Korea and Central African countries, as well as dynamic new sectors such as new technologies and industrial and marine equipment. Indeed, these sectors are among those for which Enterprise Greece is developing combined actions both to promote exports and to attract investments. The organisation considers this synergy necessary so that there is a single outward-looking strategy for exports and investments, which are key pillars of growth for the country.
The 2016 action plan for foreign trade includes existing instruments for promoting and raising the profile of exports, which the organisation already uses, but also new instruments for new initiatives. To this end, Enterprise Greece is continuing to organise Greek participation in international trade fairs around the world this year, with an enhanced exhibition programme both in terms of number of shows and the number of Greek companies taking part. At the same time, it is implementing programmes to promote and raise the profile of Greek products in foreign markets in specific sectors; is strengthening its relationship with the Greek regions, through actions to identify business opportunities there; and in addition is providing Greek companies with information and training for new exporters. The new initiatives adopted by the organisation for 2016 include business misiions to target-markets and invitations to foreign buyers and journalists from target markets, during which specific B2B meetings will take place. In addition, Greek participation in international trade fairs will be accompanied by parallel events concerning exports.
