2 minute read
Harris Geronikolas - President
FOREWORD
Harris Geronikolas Rashad Mabger
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While keeping up with established traditions, our Chamber has been consistently trying to provide quality services to the business communities in Greece and the Arab world, including the organization of various successful events, in an effort to promote trade and investments between the two parties which kept the channels of communication open. However, in spite of our tireless efforts and although we have all the favorable conditions on our side, we remain perplexed by the fact that we have not yet managed to elevate the Greek-Arab business relations to the desirable heights. The questions arise as to our course of actions and our marketing techniques. Should they be changed, improved? In our opinion, the solution to this puzzle is a combination of the afore mentioned suggestions with added effort from both sides. As the Arab and Greek sides both possess enormous resources and business potential, the respective private sectors of both parties need to further explore and take advantage of all the positive factors in hand. The traditional good relations, the geographical proximity of Greece to the Arab world and the competitive edge that both sides have achieved in the world markets are all advantageous factors. This publication coincides with “The 10th Arab-Hellenic Economic Forum” (7-8 December 2021), which is another platform attempting to bring together the two business communities and to explore the potential in specific areas of both sides. In addition, the new business Directory 2021-2022, which will be distributed in hard copy and electronic format to all Federations and Chambers of Commerce across the Arab world and will be circulated among their members, is another endeavor from our side to promote Greek companies to the Arab world. We hope for positive feedback for the companies featuring in it and for a constructive business dialogue which will result in formation of partnerships. Covid-19 disrupted lives across the communities in the world with wide ranging effects on business of all sizes. Therefore, we believe, that there is no better time than now to take advantage of all the trade factors available to us and embark boldly on new journey, with new approaches. Calculating wisely the risk parameters, our business relations can be elevated and that will give us the key to successful growth, making a difference worthy of the historical relations between Greece and the Arab world. As far as our Chamber is concerned, we will always maintain an open-door policy and we would endeavor to assist every Greek, small and medium-sized, enterprise to expand and/or establish joint partnerships with their Arab counterparts.
