GREEK EXPORTS FORUM 2016 Introduction The Greek Exports Forum has become an institution which is widely attended and recognized by the exports sector. This year it is organized for the fourth time by the Union of Diplomatic Employees of Economic & Commercial Affairs (UDE ECA) and Ethos Media S.A., under the auspices of the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Greek Exports Forum 2016 will take place on Thursday 9 June 2016, at the Αthenaeum InterContinental. The 4th Greek Exports Forum aims to offer to Greek exporters valuable tools and means which will enable them to reinforce their professional activities, and to contribute in general to the improvement of Greek products/ businesses competitiveness. This year's Forum comprises: 1) The plenary sessions of the Greek Exports Conference 2) Two parallel sessions: - B2B consultation meetings between Greek exporters and Economic & Commercial Affairs offices (UDE ECA) executives and - B2B consultation meetings between Greek exporters and Bilateral Chambers executives.
Overview INTRODUCTION: The Exports Sector at a Crossroads: Economic Takeoff or Stagnation? After the shock of the economic collapse of the years 2009-2010, the Greek exports sector began its recovery which continued through 2015, despite the serious problems caused by the extreme political and economic instability, the inactivity in the banking sector and the limitations imposed on capital circulation.
The value of Greek exports (according to data collected by the Bank of Greece, not including fuel and shipping) went from 11.3 billion in 2010 to 14.8 billion euro in 2014. Last year, in spite of the severe difficulties of the second semester, the exports value increased by 8.1% and totaled to 16 billion euro, thus presenting a quite clear indication of the dynamic nature of the exports sector, which has kept growing even in extremely adverse circumstances.
In 2016 the exports sector has reached a crossroads: if economic stability is fully reinstated through an integrated agreement between the government and our international creditors regarding the first evaluation of the adaptation program, then the conditions will be ripe for a
takeoff in Greek exports. On the contrary, a potential new slipping into economic uncertainty could drag exports into stagnation.
Within this framework the Greek Exports Forum 2016, with the participation of renowned speakers, will address in detail crucial issues of high priority to Greek exporters, like government initiatives on the promotion of extroversion and the opening of new markets, banking policies on funding and supporting export activities, value-added services offered to exporters by a wide range of companies as well as case studies of successful exporting businesses.
New strategic planning and extroversion policies: boosting extroversion is the basic pillar of the government's development strategy. The Prime Minister recently decided on the establishment of the new Extroversion Committee, a central coordinating authority consisting of representatives from various Ministries, presided by the Minister of Economy, Development and Tourism. A detailed analysis of the government's strategy on extroversion will be included in the new national development plan, which is programmed to be presented immediately after the conclusion of the negotiations with the institutions on the completion of the first assessment of the adaptation program.
During the conference's introductory session, representatives of the government and bodies of the wider public sector will present the strategy and policies on the promotion of extroversion which are currently being set in motion.
Indicative discussion topics:
The new government strategy on extroversion: goals and political means.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs' turn to the cultivation of relations with new markets/ export destinations (restructuring of the Economic & Commercial Affairs offices network etc).
NSRF and Development Law funding tools that can be utilized by the exports sector.
Measures on the acceleration of procedures relating to remission of VAT on exports.
Elaboration on support measures for exporters of the agricultural and industrial sectors.
1. Commercial Diplomacy and the Opening of New Markets The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently restructuring the country's commercial diplomacy map by reforming the network of the Economic & Commercial Affairs offices, with the aim to expand to
new markets where it is estimated that Greek products can be successfully promoted. This effort focuses mostly on countries of the African continent, Asia, the Middle East and the Persian Gulf.
The case of Iran, which recently returned to the global market after the lifting of international sanctions, is of particular interest as it is a promising market for Greek exports. In this session, executives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and representatives of bilateral Chambers will analyze the effort to approach new markets and the resulting prospects, while executives of exports companies will elaborate on their new market penetration tactics as well as related prospects and problems.
Indicative discussion topics:
The search for new markets for Greek products: promising areas and target-countries discovered by the Greek commercial diplomacy.
Adaptation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the changing global conditions regarding the promotion of Greek products: in which areas is the presence of Greek ECA offices being reinforced?
Crossing new borders: the aims of Greek exporters regarding the placement of their products in unexplored markets. Where can new opportunities be discovered?
2. Export Funding and Insurance The most serious problem that Greek exporting businesses are facing in the last years, is the lack of liquidity. The completion of the recapitalization of the Greek banks offers new possibilities for the funding of extrovert businesses and gives hope for the termination of the economic asphyxiation.
The initiatives of the banks are further supported by international funding programs, such as the one offered by the European Investment Bank (EIB) amounting to 500 million euro, where three big Greek banks participate (Piraeus Bank, National Bank of Greece and Eurobank). The insurance of export credits, as provided by specialized private companies and the national Export Credit Insurance Organization (ECIO), is also very important for the funding of external commerce.
Indeed, the insurance sector offers constant assistance to exporters, providing them with
specialized insurance products which cover a wide range of insurable risks. Finally, the NSRF programs for the promotion of competitiveness and the Development Law, which incorporate actions oriented towards innovation and extroversion, play a key role in the funding and capital support of exports businesses.
Indicative discussion topics:
The role of banks in exports funding: contribution of the Greek banking system with the support of the European Investment Bank.
The role of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD): direct funding to businesses regarding development plans.
Tools for the enhancement of production/ processing, innovation and exports through NSRF and the Development Law.
Exports credits insurance: the initiatives of the ECIO and private agencies.
Export risks and liability insurance, insurance contracts regarding goods in transit, special insurance products for exporters.
Factoring services for export companies.
3. Value-added Services to Exporters From product standardization and exports marketing to logistics services and from translation/ interpreting to legal and taxation consulting services, a wide variety of businesses, professionals and specialized consultants provide value-added services to exporters, thus decisively aiding their efforts for development.
The quality level of transportation and logistics services is intrinsically linked to exports competitiveness. Despite the various and serious difficulties that they are currently facing (capital controls, closing of borders), these companies keep on improving the services they offer to exporters.
Specialized marketing companies also play a key role in the promotion of exporting activities, by efficiently utilizing a variety of digital tools available on the Internet and social networks for global product placement. Within the same framework of exports marketing, companies involved in international expositions have a lot to offer.
In addition, companies specializing in the accreditation of exportable products based on
international standards can contribute decisively to the acceptance of Greek goods in foreign markets.
Human resources companies may also offer valuable assistance to extroverted businesses, by recruiting on their behalf executives with expertise and experience who are best equipped to represent them abroad.
In this session, speakers from the wide sector of export support services will analyze and discuss various issues relating to the available services and their importance for the expansion of export activities. Indicative discussion topics:
Product accreditation: how can a product acquire a “passport” to the international market?
Export Marketing: do exporters need consultants for the placement of their products in new markets? What can digital marketing through social networks offer?
Logistics: how can exporters safely find their way to foreign markets?
Closing of the Conference: Success in the Exports Sector and its Secrets In the last years, more and more Greek businesses discover foreign markets: from the traditional destinations for Greek products within the European Union to more “exotic” new ones. Several companies already stand out as examples of foreign market conquering. During the closing of the Greek Exports Forum, entrepreneurs who successfully export their products will share their secrets with the participants.
Parallel Sessions PARALLEL SESSION 1: B2B Consultation Meetings between Greek Exporters and Economic & Commercial Affairs (ECA) Executives
In parallel with the plenary sessions of the Conference, the organizers will offer to the participants/ potential exporters the unique opportunity to have personal consultation meetings (B2B meetings) with Greek Economic and Commercial Affairs diplomatic officers so as to benefit from the latters' experience and knowledge of foreign markets. All meetings will be pre-scheduled and tailor-made to the needs of each participant. During them, the participating exporters (or potential exporters) will be able to explore business prospects in the markets of their choice and discuss with the ECA
executives any issues related to exporting procedures and the market landscape in the specific sector in which each exporter is involved. Private meetings will be organized by Ethos Media on a first come first served basis.
PARALLEL SESSION 2: B2B Consultation Meetings between Greek Exporters and Bilateral Chambers Executives.
In parallel with the plenary sessions of the Conference, the organizers will offer to the participants/ potential exporters the opportunity to have personal consultation meetings (B2B meetings) with Bilateral Chambers executives. During these meetings, the entrepreneurs will be able to explore their networking prospects in the markets of their choice and get detailed information on the challenges and opportunities related to bilateral commercial relations. The meetings will be organized by Ethos Media on a first come first served basis.
Who Should Attend This Forum is mainly – but not exclusively – addressed to:
Companies with business activities in Greece and abroad
Companies involved exclusively in exporting activities and companies with developed export departments
Companies that have recently started to turn to exporting activities
Academics, Scientists, Experts
Professionals and specialized executives of state authorities, organizations and private companies involved in international commerce
Banking and Factoring executives specialized in exports
Insurance executives
Transport and Logistics companies executives
Consultants
Lawyers
Standardization – Accreditation companies executives
Communications, Internet and Mobility Marketing – Social Media companies executives
Graphic Arts and Marketing companies executives
Members of Chambers and Unions
Export Information Banks executives
International Exposition companies executives
Online marketplaces executives
Airline companies and traveling agencies executives
The Organiser ETHOS EVENTS' activities include the planning and organization of conferences, entrepreneurship award ceremonies and innovative events related to the market sectors in which ETHOS MEDIA S.A. is involved and which are covered by its printed and electronic publications. The company aims to offer to top executives in Greece high quality information and know-how, which are indispensable tools for business growth and professional success. Our business events are focused on the sectors of exports, pharmaceuticals, clinical research, marketing, corporate social responsibility, investments, insurance, banking, technology etc.
ETHOS EVENTS commits to:
Promoting the Conference through its magazines HRIMA, Ph.B Pharma & Health Business and Insurance World, its online newspaper HRIMA Week, the portals insuranceworld.gr and virus.com.gr and its web page hrima.gr.
Promoting the Conference through all social media accounts of Ethos Events and the Forum's media sponsors.
Sending informative newsletters with the sponsor companies' promotional material to all Greek entrepreneurs and businesses included in its extensive database.
Sending electronic invitations to the guests of the sponsor companies.
Creating a guest list to manage and confirm attendance of the Conference.
Contact For enquiries related to sponsorships, please contact: Konstantinos Ouzounis General Manager Tel.: (+30) 210 998 4864 E-mail: ouzounis.k@ethosmedia.eu Konstantinos Rampidis Business Development Manager Tel.: (+30) 210 998 4876 Ranto Manologlou Advertising Sales Manager Tel: (+30) 210 998 4863 E-mail: manologlou.r@ethosmedia.eu
For enquiries related to the conference agenda, auspices, communication sponsors and journalists, please contact: Sofia – Afroditi Voulgaraki Communication & P.R. Manager Tel.: (+30) 210 998 4901 E-mail: voulgaraki.s@ethosmedia.eu
For enquiries related to the registration of delegates, sponsors service, please contact:: Konstantinos Salvarlis Conferences Manager Tel.: (+30) 210 998 4909 E-mail: salvarlis.k@ethosmedia.eu Μariana Vazaiou Client Service Executive Τel.: 210 998 4932 E-mail: vazaiou.m@ethosmedia.eu Nikos Athanasiou Database Manager Τel.: (+30) 210 998 4912 E-mail: athanasiou.n@ethosmedia.eu