Page 18 - TRADE2012

Basic HTML Version

A
t the same time, though, we must prepare
our economies for achieving international
competitiveness and growth. Development
policies should neither be deconstructive, nor wait
passively for investors to come. They have to offer
a dynamic response to economic change. Britain
welcomes the measures Greece is taking in order
to effectively meet these challenges. Both the
British government –through the EU and our
strong involvement in the Task Force– and the
British companies can help achieve this.
The two countries have strong trading links that
range from shipping and financial services to edu-
cation, tourism and mobile telephony. As Greece
embarks on structural reforms, British expertise on
innovative privatization and private-public partner-
ship practices could prove exceptionally useful.
Privatizations are not only about the flow of funds
into state coffers. We have realized that, even in
fields as diverse as e.g. Health and Defence, the
private sector can help the State save resources
and provide citizens with better services. We can
share our experience with the Greek government
and Greek enterprises. There is ample scope for
increased British involvement in the Greek econo-
my, from energy (hydrocarbons and renewable
energy sources) and security to high-end tourism.
A large number of major projects would bring
investments and new jobs in Greece, provided
that certain bureaucracy-related problems were
solved. This is one of my top priorities.
Trade and investment is the key to growth.
Trade with Greece
16
In Greece, there is consensus on one thing: the need
to put the economy back on the growth track as soon
as possible. More European countries have only one
option: to deal with all issues concerning the sustain-
ability of their deficits and debts.
Development in
Greece, development
in Europe:
opportunities
“made in Britain”
By the British Ambassador to Greece,
Dr David Landsman