H.E. Mr. Abdullah Mohamed Al Mazrui

PREFACE

A Relation Worthy of our Glorious Past

It is my pleasure to have the opportunity to address the Greek and Arab business communities on the occasion of the publication of the AHCCD Business Directory 2020-2021. This is yet another step in the right direction made by the Arab-Hellenic Chamber, in an effort to further promote their member-companies across the Arab world. The historical depth of the Arab - Greek relations have always been considered of highly intellectual value, as both sides have, over centuries, interacted in philosophy, science, translations, epistemology, history, literature and other fields of art and science. In addition, a wide range of sources indicate that the history of trade routes, navigation and shipbuilding are all testimony to the intense communication around Mediterranean and shed light on a fascinating past that Arab and Greeks have developed in the culture of this geographical area. The economic interest cannot be underestimated either. A lot of work needs to be done in the area of trade and investments by both sides in order to level up with our historical past. The covid-19 pandemic, the climatic change and refugee crisis are some of the challenges that the world is facing and that is seriously affecting the world economy. As far as the Greeks and the Arabs are concerned, we can try to turn the challenges into opportunities, by simply being more adventurous, taking bold actions and entering, what I may call, “calculated risk”. The Covid-19 pandemic has given de facto preference to the regional trade and therefore, based on our resources and industrial output, if we plan our actions well, our volume of trade will definitely increase. Both sides have a lot of resources and a great potential for development. There are countless opportunities to be grasped, especially in the Arab world which is stretching on two continents, from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to the Arabian Sea in the east and to the Indian Ocean in the southeast. There is an abundance of opportunities in construction, infrastructure, port industries and reviving of small and medium-sized industries. Our Greek friends, on the other hand, have a land blessed with a lot of resources and investment opportunities, especially in the areas that they have made substantial progress in, like energy, maritime, tourism, pharmaceutical and food-processing industry. Merging our actions in all these domains is a win-win situation for both parties. The Union of Arab Chambers prides itself with the achievements of the Arab-Foreign Joint Chambers in the host countries. These Chambers have, through the years, established themselves as pillars and outstanding ambassadors in promoting our international foreign trade. They all play an instrumental role in the increase of trade balance and the mutual flow of investments and they have all succeeded in establishing a good base of work and communication with the key decision makers in these countries. The Arab-Hellenic Chamber stands strong as one of these pillars and makes us feel proud of its journey, its role and its status in Greece. Our sincere congratulations to the Arab-Hellenic Chamber for its achievements!

Abdullah Mohamed Al Mazrui

President, Union of Arab Chambers