In what can be taken as a sign of the tenacity of Greek business to trade its way out of the country’s continuing woes, a trade delegation of leading Greek companies completed the Melbourne leg of a ground breaking trip to Australia on Friday.
After two intense days of presentations and meetings, the delegation set a new record for the largest number of business to business meetings ever organised in a single networking event between Greek and Australian companies. Organised by the Hellenic Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (HACCI) in association with the Thessaloniki International Trade Fair (TIF), the warmly welcomed visitors included the Minster for Macedonia and Thrace and the Mayors of the Municipality of Western Mani and the Municipality of Lagadas.
Comprising a diverse range of business interests – including food and beverage, renewable energy, engineering, security systems company, fashion accessory business, furniture and home-wares, all were looking for a foothold in the Australian market. They move on to New South Wales energised and optimistic following their experience in Melbourne. As the curtain came down on the Victorian trade interactions, TIF Managing Director Mr Anastasios Tzikas told Neos Kosmos: “Australia is a very important market for Greece – mainly because of the strong Greek contingency which can serve as the bridge.
“The meetings went well and in a very positive climate, and I think that we will have specific results.” Mr Tzikas said he was keen for momentum to be kept up after a strong start to the partnerships conceived so far. “There will have to be a follow up and continuation of the connections made,” said TIF’s MD. “A first step will be the participation of Australia in the Thessaloniki International Trade Fair next September and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between TIF, HACCI and the Victorian Employers’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry.” A spokesperson for HACCI told Neos Kosmos that the trade mission in Victoria had been a unparalleled success: “Over eighty B2B meetings were organised for the companies over the two days. This is the first mission of what will surely be several more to follow.”
Companies who took part included AIAS Engineering – specialists in solar energy technologies, AKROTHEA – winery producers and bottlers of organic wine, ALFA WOOD S.A. – wood processing, ELEONES of CHALKIDIKI S.A. – olive production, ENPOKA S.A. – ouzo and tsipouro EVDERMIA – dermatological products, GLS Fused Glass, IMIA furniture, MONDOABEE / Unitrade Group – food products, OLYMPIA ELECTRONICS, PELOPAC SA food products, PERIDEO S.A. – jewellery, TECHNOPOLIS THESSALONIKIS S.A. – Thessaloniki business park and THESSALONIKI INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR Australian companies wishing to sign up for B2B meetings in Sydney which take place on Tuesday Nov 27 at the Sydney Convention Centre, should contact HACCI on 03 9602 2977 or info@hacci.com.au