Press Release 22/11/2024: Meeting of PSE with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs on Strengthening Extroversion

Athens, 22 November 2024
PRESS RELEASE

The Panhellenic Exporters Association (PSE), continuing and intensifying the initiatives and actions it has undertaken following the election of its new Board of Directors, completed the first cycle by holding a meeting yesterday with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs responsible for economic diplomacy and extroversion, Mr. Kostas Fragogiannis.

Representing PSE in the meeting with the Deputy Minister and his associates were President Mr. Alkiviadis Kalampokis, First Vice President Ms. Marina Ofloudi-Giavroglou, Second Vice President Ms. Alexandra Chazapi-Pitta, Secretary General Mr. Nikolaos Mavrikos, Financial Supervisor Mr. Bassam Azar, and Appointed Board Member Mr. Christos Bakopoulos.

The atmosphere of the meeting was warm and constructive. The Panhellenic Exporters Association submitted a comprehensive memorandum, aiming to highlight the critical challenges currently faced by Greek exports and to set forth specific proposals for the development of an integrated extroversion strategy.

The members of the PSE Board of Directors, recognizing the decisive role of the Deputy Minister in promoting the country’s extroversion, presented specific issues that were thoroughly discussed. Mr. Kostas Fragogiannis listened carefully to the problems faced by Greek exporters and assured that he would take all necessary actions to accelerate solutions in the following areas:

• Export Credit Greece: The immediate activation of the former OAEP, now ECG, is of primary importance for exporters. Financing SMEs, providing insurance coverage for exports, and initiating procedures for invoice pre-financing through factoring will give the new body a key role in financial solutions that are crucial for Greek exporters.

• Enterprise Greece: PSE firmly supports broadening Enterprise Greece’s activities beyond participation in international exhibitions. New initiatives such as business missions to emerging markets, buyer invitations, and In-Store Promotion are considered essential reinforcements for Greek exports. The operation of a Help Desk, which would become a vital information tool for exporters, must be expedited. Business consulting combined with exporter training is also seen as critical, particularly for SMEs.

• Economic and Commercial Affairs Offices (OEF): The operating model of OEF offices requires a complete overhaul in order to modernize their function, enhance their communication with the business community, and digitalize their services. Redesigning the network of OEF offices in new and emerging markets is also deemed necessary. Strengthening the offices with new personnel should be linked to graduates of the National School of Public Administration.

• Bureaucracy reduction: Despite efforts in recent years, full digitalization of the procedures required to complete the export process has not yet been achieved. The single window system has not been implemented, and platforms designed years ago remain neither functional nor fast enough to meet today’s needs. Customs procedures also face challenges, making further modernization immediately necessary.

• Extroversion support programs: From PSE’s perspective, it is urgent to announce a new cycle of programs to strengthen extroversion and implement actions that will boost exports.

Finally, special discussion took place regarding the problems exporters face in obtaining import and customs clearance licenses in various countries. The expansion of EU bilateral agreements with Third Countries is considered a safeguard for partially addressing these issues. The potential imposition of tariffs by the United States was also a key concern during the working meeting.

The purpose of PSE is to provide all involved Ministries and competent bodies with the issues faced daily by Greek exporters and, combined with concrete proposals for their resolution, to contribute to strengthening the competitiveness of Greek enterprises, increasing exports, and supporting the growth of the Greek economy.