Trade with Greece
72
7.1%. The corresponding figure, excluding fuels,
increased by €850.6 million or 6.9%.
In the same period, imports fell to €32,664.1 million
(from €41,629.6 million in 2009), i.e. decreased by
21.5%. The corresponding figure, excluding fuels,
decreased by €3,853.6 million or 11.1%.
Thus the trade deficit during the period January-
November 2010 amounted to €18,304.8 million
($24,180.6 million), as compared to €28,218.4
million ($38,923.8 million) in the same period of
2009, reduced by 35.1%. The corresponding fig-
ure, excluding fuels, decreased by €4,704.2 mil-
lion or 20.9%.
Food and beverage exports account for 21.6% of
total Greek exports during the first 11-months of
2009, increased by 4.6% as compared to the same
period of 2009. Construction material exports dur-
ing the same period contributed 22.1% to Greek
exports, significantly increased by 16.2%.
It should be noted that 64.2% (increased by
8.6% as compared to 2009) of exports was
directed to European Union countries, with
the largest importer being Germany, which
accounts for 11.3% (€1.62 billion) of total
Greek exports. In the first 11-months of
2010, the drop in imports resulted from a
12.6% decrease in imports from EU coun-
tries and a 35.9% decrease in imports from
third countries.
Export overview and targets
for 2011
“Export trade, and the economic diplomacy
sector in general, is an extremely competi-
tive market; Greece is not the only country
trying; other countries are trying as well.
Precisely because Greece is currently in a
difficult economic position, though one that
is improving, I think everyone is necessary,
and there is no room for negligence.” This is
what the Deputy Foreign Minister, Sp.
Kouvelis said in a recent statement, adding
that: “The main points of the strategy for
enhancing the extroversion of Greek enter-
prises, are: a targeted effort; the optimum
utilization of personnel at our Commercial
Affairs Offices and missions abroad, as well
as personnel in other structures of the state
mechanism, and, naturally, the work of all
export agencies. We also need to identify
and confront with seriousness and sincerity
the obstacles and negative incentives that
exist in export commerce in Greece.
Moreover, we need to utilize the provision
of information and education, while it is also
important for an ongoing assessment to be car-
ried out, possibly every four months, as well as
coordination of state services, which we have
started doing, but there are still steps to be
taken…”
The ten most important sectors are food; energy
(renewable energy sources and green technolo-
gy); construction materials; construction; tourism;
health (pharmaceutical products and medical
supplies); engineering and industrial equipment;
information and communications technologies;
beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic); and cos-
metics.
These are the ten ‘champions’ of Greek exports
and on these we have to build, says Mr. Kouvelis,
adding, though, that “this doesn’t mean that some
other sector won’t prove just as dynamic”.
The previous year’s highlights, according to the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, include:
•
Greece established a dynamic presence in the
