A trade delegation comprising of Greek companies representing shipping, ICT, energy, construction, food, and tourism are heading to Melbourne under the auspices of the new Hellenic Australian Business Council (HABC) in Greece.
The Hellenic Australian Chamber of Commerce (HACCI) is hosting the event and is collaborating with the Thessaloniki International Trade Fair, the HABC and the Australian government on the initiative.
The mission’s visit – taking place between the 12th and 15th of November – will be the first of its kind to Australia in recent years.
Greek business leaders will meet representatives of state and local government as well as undertaking a program of business-to-business events, and sector-based briefings.
The Australian Ambassador to Greece, Ms Jenny (Polyxeni) Bloomfield, told Neos Kosmos that the Australian Embassy in Athens supported the mission and would be working with government, business and other partners in Australia and Greece, to ensure its success.
“Australia and Greece share a close relationship based on shared values, history and strong community links,” said Ms Bloomfield.
“There is considerable potential to further strengthen the relationship, utilising Australia’s strengths as a G20 member with a strong, competitive economy and close links to the rapidly growing economies of Asia, as well as opportunities presented by reforms currently underway in Greece.”
The HABC is the first organisation to be established within Greece to provide a platform for Greek and Australian companies to have regular exchanges on trade and investment issues. Its members are drawn from shipping, energy, construction, mining, defence, telecommunications, finance and banking, food, travel and tourism and other sectors.
A second HACCI initiative will see global brand management guru Peter Economides give presentations in Melbourne and Sydney next month.
Founder of the Felix BNI brand management consultancy based in Athens, Economides is a former Executive Vice President and Worldwide Director of Client Services at global advertising agency McCann Erickson and Head of Global Clients at TBWA Worldwide.