From Monday until May 11, 2022, a numerous high-level delegation of French businessmen headed by the President of MEDEF, Joffrey Roude de Bezier, will pay a working visit to Athens, at the invitation of BSE.
As executives of the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises (SEV) commented to the Athens Macedonia News Agency – AMNA, “the strengthening of trade and investment relations is at the center of contacts with the Greek business leadership and the Greek government” and express the belief that another important chapter opens in trade and investment relations between Greece and France, which will further strengthen the strong business ties between the two countries.
The French delegation consists of the president of the SEV’s French counterpart, Joffrey Roude de Bezier, and 5 high-ranking executives, as well as 27 businessmen and executives representing 23 leading French companies, internationally recognized in their field.
It is noted that several of them are now well established in Greece, and have a productive base in our country, while others come to explore new opportunities offered by the Greek market, in a number of dynamic areas, such as digital technology, energy, medicines, cosmetics, food, transportation, smart cities, construction, shipping, and tourism.
As part of the three-day visit the agenda of meetings of those participating in the MEDEF delegation will include, in addition to many bilateral business discussions, meetings with representatives of the Greek government. Trade relations between the two countries are very important. In 2021 the volume of business transactions between France and Greece increased by 11.2%.
Greek exports to France amounted to 1.8 billion euros, increased by 4.4% compared to 2020 and imports 2.5 billion euros, increased by 16.7%. France was the 5th largest foreign investor in Greece, with investments totaling 1.49 billion euros, in key sectors of the Greek economy such as energy, tourism and green growth.
The chairman of the executive committee of SEV Efthymios Vidalis stated to AMNA that “SEV with MEDEF continues the long-term, creative cooperation, and the purpose of the visit is to further expand the excellent relations between the two business communities, but also to identify commercial and investment opportunities both in Greece and in the wider region “.
What are the 23 French companies in the mission?
1. AEROPHILE (Tethered Balloon World Leader)
2. AGENCE ALPS (Marketing & Tourism)
3. AIRBUS (Global pioneer in the aerospace industry)
4. BOLLORE (Transport – logistics – electric & sustainable mobility – communication)
5. BRICS Access (Helping companies to set up and invest in emerging markets)
6. BOUYGUES BATIMENT INTERNATIONAL (Complex construction projects)
7. EGIS (Consulting, engineering, operation)
8. FIVES (Design and supply machines and process technologies)
9. GALILEO GLOBAL EDUCATION CORPORATE SERVICES (Higher Education Platform)
10. GICAN (French Marine Industry Group)
11. IDEMIA (Public Security and Identity)
12. IVECO FRANCE (Design, production and marketing of vehicles)
13. LOUIS DREYFUS ARMATEURS (Maritime transportation)
14. L’OREAL (Cosmetics)
15. NAVAL GROUP (Naval military construction)
16. RATP DEVELOPPEMENT (Urban and intercity transportation systems)
17. SAFRAN (Aerospace, security and defense equipment)
18. SAGEMCOM ENERGY & TELECOM (Telecommunications and energy management)
19. SAUR INTERNATIONAL (Production and distribution of water and sanitation)
20. SETEC (Engineering Consulting)
21. SULO (Waste management)
22. THALES (Global leader in aerospace, defense, security)
23. VINCI CONCESSIONS (Global leader in mobility infrastructure)
Latest News
ELSTAT: Greek Health Expenditures Reach €5.89 Billion in 2022
Finally, healthcare financing as a percentage of GDP decreased to 8.5% in 2022 from 9.18% in 2021, as per the Health Accounts System report.
Sonoco Paper Mill Plants Close After 30 Years in Greece
The shut down of the two paper mills in northern Greece comes a week after a glass plant closed in Athens
BoG: Private Deposits Down by 1.068bln Euros in Feb. 2024
Corporate deposits decreased by 912 million euros, compared to a decrease of 3.167 billion euros in the previous month
Greeks’ Buying Power Second Lowest in the EU
Greeks’ purchasing power is under pressure, ranking 26th among 27 EU member states.
Greek FinMin Says Digital Work Card Tackling Undeclared Work
Greece's recently launched digital work card aimed at tackling undeclared labor has already started to produce results, said Economy and Finance Minister Kostis Hatzidakis
MSC Cruises: More than 400 Visits to Nine Greek Destinations
MSC Cruises, a subsidiary of international shipping line Mediterranean Shipping Company S.A, will be sailing to Greek ports as of this month, expanding operations in the region year-round
Eurostat: Greece Among Cheaper Hourly Labor Cost Zones
In contrast, the countries that posted the highest hourly labor costs are Luxembourg (53.9 euros), Norway (51.9 euros), Iceland
GSEVEE: Economic Sentiment Indicator in Greece Down in Q2 2023
The drop follows a significant uptick in the ESI in the second half of 2022 (69.5 units) and a slight decline in the first half of 2023 (66.7 units)
Manpower Report: Sectors in Greece that Have Achieved Full Gender Equality in the Workplace
Greece surpasses this with 45%, showcasing progress but also room for improvement. Sectors like Consumer Goods and Services lead with 69% reporting full equality globally
Bank of America (BofA): Three Reasons Greek Economy Outperforms EC Average
BofA projects growth of 1.1% in 2024 and 1.7% in 2025, compared to forecasts for eurozone growth at 0.4%/1.1%, respectively