Greek businesses have been accumulating a
great capital of knowledge, expertise and know-
how. Technology-intensive products now account
for almost 23% of total Greek exports, as com-
pared to only 6% in 1988.
In 2012 Greece hit yet another historic all-time
record for exports, up to nearly €25 billion, break-
ing again the record that had been set in 2011.
By the end of 2013, the exports’ share in Greece’s
GDP will be 4 times higher than the historic low of
the 2000s (around 25% of GDP). At the same
time, over 2,000 new enterprises were founded
on the basis of exports or obtained international-
ized characteristics.
These are accomplishments for which, as Greek
exporters, we are very proud of. They are our own
rewards and prizes, awarded by the real global
economy, against speculators and in spite of the
slowdown of global growth, especially in
European countries.
“So, what about the risks of trading with Greece?
What about red tape costs?” I am happy to inform
you that Greece now possesses a series of tools
designed to minimize these risks. The Export Credit
Insurance Organization has launched the Buyers
Credit Programme to insure and secure even the
buyers of Greek products abroad. The ECIO has
also launched a new collateral cash-flow booster,
the “ECIO-EXTROVERSION” Programme to assist
Greece’s export enterprises in fulfilling their obliga-
tions to their buyers. Moreover, the Greek govern-
ment, with the support of the United Nations, is pro-
ceeding to the implementation of a Single Window
for exports, with the aim of reducing the cost and
time to export by 50%, starting from 2013.
In the meantime, 7,000 entrepreneurs and admin-
istrative employees of Greek SMEs are being
vocationally trained on Export Planning and
Internationalization of Business through an inno-
vative training programme implemented, among
others, by the Panhellenic Exporters Association.
Business delegations of Greek tradesmen and
producers are travelling in Europe, Asia and the
Americas for b2b meetings.
Greece is becoming an open economy and wel-
comes all of those interested in getting to know
Greek products and services. We, the Panhellenic
Exporters Association, the main exporters’ organ-
ization in Greece, believe that “the future is not to
be anticipated, but to be created”. And we are
calling these creative forces in Greece and
abroad to join us in our vision of a prosperous,
competitive Greece.
Trade with Greece
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