Trade with Greece
75
to the number of players, people and businesses
that joined this effort — a sign of strength
Moreover, this growth is attributed to macroeco-
nomic factors, such as the gradual devaluation of
the euro and the onset of economic recovery in
many countries etc.
In 2011, the joint effort provides for coordination
among the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other
Ministries, such as those for Tourism, Regional
Development and Competitiveness and Rural
Development & Food, in regard to the branding of
Greece and Greek products and the Exports
Observatory. Moreover, plans provide for award-
ing “champions” on an annual basis; above all,
though, the government is promoting, without
delay, the provision of support to young extrovert
entrepreneurs, through NSRF programs and
other programs for enhancing entrepreneurship.
In regard to the geographical scope of action for
2011, the government will promote a turn towards
Asia, while this year’s focus will be on India, for
which a joint Inter-ministerial Committee has
already been scheduled for March, along with an
official visit and trade delegation in June 2011.
Moreover, in the second half of the year the gov-
ernment will intensify its efforts in two more
regions. The first is Latin America —there is
potential for cooperation with Brazil for the 2016
Olympics in Rio— and the second is Sub-
Saharan Africa.
Extroversion- enhancing
initiatives
Presenting the National Export Strategy, the
Minister of Regional Development and
Competitiveness, Michalis Chrisochoidis, spoke
about the limited extroversion of Greek enterpris-
es, as exports account for just 8.7% of Greek
GDP (less than 8% in 2009), while the relevant
percentages are more than double, i.e. 16%, in
Spain, 20% in Portugal, and over 50% in Ireland
and the Netherlands.
In this context, the Minister presented the
National Export Strategy, whose main points are
the following:
1. The creation of a National Brand
, a Greek
identity that will certify product quality and
authenticity. The National Brand will be built in
cooperation and coordination with the Ministry of
Culture and Tourism. The effort for creating a sin-
gle logo and system for the certification of high
quality products has already started. The National
Brand will be based on 3 pillars:
i. Exports
(with the support of HEPO)
ii. Investments
(with the support of Invest in
Greece)
iii. Tourism
(with the support of the Greek
National Tourism Organization (EOT))
2. Coordination among ministries.
The Ministry
of Foreign Affairs, with its Economic Diplomacy
and trade attachés; the Ministry of Finance; the
Ministry of Culture and Tourism, with EOT; the
Minister of State, responsible for strategic invest-
ments; the Ministry of Rural Development &
Food, with a great contribution in the crucial food
sector; and the Ministry of Regional Development
and Competitiveness.
3.
The radical
restructuring of the National
Export Council
, with the aim of making it more
effective, more functional, more flexible. It will be
absorbed by the National Growth and
Competitiveness Council, with the aim of estab-
lishing a permanent structure, capable of jointly
