The crucial role of the Council for Extroversion in promoting the objectives of economic diplomacy was emphasized by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Economic Diplomacy and Openness, Kostas Fragogiannis, in his address at the opening of the 2nd Council for Extroversion, held on Friday, September 9, 2022, in Thessaloniki.
Referring to the composition and role of the Council, Mr. Fragogiannis said: “We have here, in this room, exactly what the Prime Minister and I dreamed of three years ago for the country’s extroversion: producers’ associations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with its structures, we have Enterprise Greece and Export Credit Greece, and all together, as the Council for Extroversion, we are carefully drafting a strategic plan to support Greek entrepreneurship and its internationalization.
The Deputy Minister congratulated Ioannis Smyrlis, the Secretary-General for International Economic Affairs and Openness at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and President of Enterprise Greece, on ensuring as Chairman of the Council for Extroversion the participation of such a high number of producers’ associations and professional organizations in the Council, and he wished good luck with the proceedings of this meeting.
Secretary General Mr. Smyrlis began his speech by reporting on the first National Strategic Plan for Extroversion (NSPE 2021) and its impressive results as reflected in the increased exports of Greek products and services and the attraction of record Foreign Direct Investment in the country. He then presented the NSPE 2022, with 670 actions in 48 target countries, noting the high percentage (60%) of actions already completed in the first half of the year, and invited the Council members to submit their proposals for the NSPE 2023.
Mr. Smyrlis also focused on Economic Diplomacy initiatives aiming to promote Thessaloniki as a regional leader, such as the Thessaloniki Connectivity Forum held in the city in July. He also mentioned the creation of a Logistics Center in Thessaloniki, an investment of €240 million, which will be built on an area of 672 acres near the Thessaloniki Port.
In conclusion, he highlighted the progress recorded by the Government Trade Facilitation Committee in strengthening Greek exports and facilitating Greek entrepreneurs’ activity.
The meeting was also attended by the Deputy Minister of Interior for Macedonia and Thrace, Stavros Kalafatis, as well as representatives of producers’ associations and professional organizations that are members of the Council for Extroversion. Among them are the Association of Greek Regions (EN.P.E), the Region of Central Macedonia, the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises and Industries (SEV), the Federation of Industries of Greece (SBE), the Panhellenic Exporters Association (PEA), the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Thessaloniki (EVETH), the Exporters Association (SEBE), the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), the Piraeus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), the Union of Hellenic Chambers of Commerce (UHCC), the Export Credit Greece (ECG), the Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE), the Thessaloniki Port Authority (ThPA) and HELEXPO.