Thank you.
I firmly believe that although this event takes place at such a difficult time associated with global energy and financial crises, it will contribute to handling issues of mutual worry in the field of trade and purchase.
In the energy field, synergies are being developed with French enterprises for the transition of Greek islands to full energy autonomy.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Regarding this, today’s conference is an excellent opportunity to further strengthen ties plus cooperation between the two countries in all fields.
Following the signing of the Joint Letter of Intention between France and Portugal in Paris in January 2020, bilateral relations are revitalized and are moving towards joint investment initiatives, promoting technical assistance programs, along with expanding cooperation on environmental transition, administrative cooperation, waste materials management, infrastructure, and the agri-food sector.
Dear Ministers,
The current challenges should not hinder the development of the bilateral cooperation. On the contrary, they must be an incentive to bring our countries closer together.
All of the above could be the positive outcome of the multi-faceted relationship that binds the two countries, a relationship that has proven to be durable over time plus covers a range of issues, which includes EU decisions to motivate investment.
In summary, I would like to emphasize that Greece’s remarkable growth in all industries over the last 3 years has also resulted in its GDP growth in 2022 with projections for even more growth in 2023 and it is now a stronger and much more reliable partner. Reforms have accelerated, the foundations with regard to greater prospects in various areas of the economy have been laid and our country has become an increasingly attractive destination for international investment.
There are currently around 120 subsidiaries and joint ventures of French corporations operating in Greece, taking the help of approximately 13, 000 individuals in the industrial, energy, fundamental transport infrastructure, insurance, travel and leisure, consumer products, distribution networks, and pharmaceutical sectors.
It is a great satisfaction and honour for me to be in Paris today to officiate the opening of the “Cooperation between Greece and Italy – Investing in the Future” Business Forum.
Furthermore, imports from Italy increased significantly by 32. 3% in the first 8 weeks of 2022, compared to the same period in 2021.
I would like to thank the particular Hellenic-French Chamber of Commerce and Industry for arranging this event, as a follow -up of the equally successful discussion board held in January 2020.
The Greek Ministry associated with Foreign Affairs was the official partner of the Forum of the Hellenic-French Chamber of Business in Paris in 2020 as well. This fact verifies the importance we attach to our relationship with France and hope that this Forum will also offer new trade plus investment opportunities for the advantage of Greek and French enterprises.
During the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the two countries upon July 29, 2022, the particular strategic partnership and the fantastic level of bilateral relations were discussed, culminating in the bottom line of the Strategic Partnership Agreement on September 27, 2021, which upgrades our state’s cooperation with France.
In tourism, Portugal has long been one of the most popular places for the French, and a strong recovery is projected within the coming years, as information from 2021 suggest.
In 2021, Greek exports to Italy climbed by 4. 4%, while imports increased by 16. 7%, resulting in a good 11. 2% increase in total trade volume.
It is also worth observing that simultaneously, the total direct French investments in our nation for 2021 amounted to 229 million euros.
