Press Release 6/11/2024: Priorities and Strategies for Strengthening Export Trade by PSE

Athens, 6 November 2024
PRESS RELEASE

As part of the initiatives of its new administration, the Panhellenic Exporters Association (PSE) continues its contacts with institutions and Ministries connected to export trade. One of these meetings was held yesterday with the Secretary General for International Economic Relations and Extroversion and President of Enterprise Greece, Mr. Dimitrios Skalkos.

Present at the meeting were the Secretary General with his associates, and on behalf of PSE, President Mr. Alkiviadis Kalampokis, Vice President Ms. Alexandra Chazapi-Pitta, Secretary General Mr. Nikolaos Mavrikos, Financial Supervisor Mr. Bassam Azar, and Appointed Board Member Mr. Christos Bakopoulos.

A memorandum was submitted, addressing a series of issues regarding export trade and the challenges faced by Greek exporting companies. More specifically, the topics discussed included:

• Bureaucracy and ways to reduce it

• Customs authorities and customs clearance procedures

• Financing of SMEs – activation and role of ECG S.A.

• Support programs for extroversion

• Strengthening the OEF Offices with redesign of their network, improvement of the information provided, etc.

• Enterprise Greece – participation in international exhibitions and business missions, hosting of foreign business delegations in Greece, etc.

• Addressing problems arising from foreign authorities in issuing import licenses and customs clearance

• Issues of unfair competition from other countries

The atmosphere of the meeting was warm and productive. The Secretary General carefully considered the requests of Greek exporters and assured that he would act as a “facilitator” to ensure that all necessary actions are taken and that as many of the above issues as possible are resolved. He stressed that exports are a government priority, and therefore the corresponding measures will be implemented, alongside further actions required to increase exports and reduce the trade deficit. One of the issues also discussed was the measures and actions required to secure exemptions for Greek products in the event of tariffs imposed by the United States.

The goal of PSE is to provide all the competent Ministries with the challenges faced daily by Greek exporters, combined with concrete proposals for solutions, so that together the necessary measures can be implemented.

The next meeting will take place on Thursday, 21 November 2024, with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Kostas Fragogiannis, responsible for economic diplomacy and extroversion. The aim is to intensify PSE’s actions not only for resolving the problems faced by exporters, but also for further increasing exports and reducing the trade deficit.