Presentation to studentsPresentation to studentsof the Angelo State University, Texas, USAof the Angelo State University, Texas, USA

Giorgos EmmanouilidisGiorgos EmmanouilidisTCCI, Studies and Research departmentTCCI, Studies and Research department

THESSALONIKI CHAMBER OFTHESSALONIKI CHAMBER OF

COMMERCE AND INDUSTRYCOMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

Thessaloniki CCIThessaloniki CCIThessaloniki, 28Thessaloniki, 28thth May 2012 May 2012

EUROPEEUROPE   

GREECE – GREECE – CENTRAL MACEDONIACENTRAL MACEDONIA

REGIONAL UNITREGIONAL UNITOF THESSALONIKIOF THESSALONIKI

Population: 1.144.052 (2008)Population: 1.144.052 (2008)

10,2% of country’s population10,2% of country’s population

GDP: 19.449.000.000 GDP: 19.449.000.000 €€

9,1% of Greek G.D.P. - 2nd in Greece9,1% of Greek G.D.P. - 2nd in Greece

GDP per capita 17.245 GDP per capita 17.245 €, 90,2% of national average€, 90,2% of national average

G.D.P. composition: 1,8% agriculture,G.D.P. composition: 1,8% agriculture,

27,6% Industry and 70,6% Services27,6% Industry and 70,6% Services

THESSALONIKI THESSALONIKI INFRASTRUCTURESINFRASTRUCTURES

The 2The 2ndnd biggest port in Greece, including a free zone biggest port in Greece, including a free zone area, a container terminal, railway infrastructure etc.area, a container terminal, railway infrastructure etc.

The largest organized industrial area of the country.The largest organized industrial area of the country.

The biggest International Trade Fair in the Balkans.The biggest International Trade Fair in the Balkans.

Three internationally recognized Universities – over Three internationally recognized Universities – over 100,000 students (Aristotle University - University of 100,000 students (Aristotle University - University of Macedonia – International Hellenic University).Macedonia – International Hellenic University).

The Alexandreion Technological Educational Institute The Alexandreion Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki.of Thessaloniki.

The Center for Research and Technology Hellas.The Center for Research and Technology Hellas.

E.U. AND INTERNATIONAL E.U. AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS LOCATED IN ORGANIZATIONS LOCATED IN

THESSALONIKITHESSALONIKI

The European Center for the Development of The European Center for the Development of Vocational Training (CEDEFOP)Vocational Training (CEDEFOP)

The Black Sea Trade Development BankThe Black Sea Trade Development Bank

The Private Sector Liaison Office of the World Bank The Private Sector Liaison Office of the World Bank Group (hosted by the TCCI)Group (hosted by the TCCI)

The Euro Info CenterThe Euro Info Center

THESSALONIKI CHAMBER OF THESSALONIKI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRYCOMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

TCCI PROFILE TCCI PROFILE

TCCI was established in 1918 and began to operate TCCI was established in 1918 and began to operate in 1919in 1919

It’s a Public Authority and the 2It’s a Public Authority and the 2ndnd most significant most significant Chamber in GreeceChamber in Greece

Approximately 20,000 commercial firms and Approximately 20,000 commercial firms and industries are registered in TCCI (registration is industries are registered in TCCI (registration is compulsory according to the law)compulsory according to the law)

20 employees 20 employees

TCCI PROFILE TCCI PROFILE

TCCI task is to develop and promote all economic TCCI task is to develop and promote all economic activities and in particular commerce and industry in activities and in particular commerce and industry in the Regional Unit of Thessaloniki and the wider area the Regional Unit of Thessaloniki and the wider area of Central Macedonia and Northern Greece.of Central Macedonia and Northern Greece.

TCCI is an official advisor to the Government on TCCI is an official advisor to the Government on issues related to the activities of the companies issues related to the activities of the companies located in the Regional Unit of Thessaloniki and located in the Regional Unit of Thessaloniki and also in matters related to the overall economic also in matters related to the overall economic growth of the area.growth of the area.

TCCI ADMINISTRATIONTCCI ADMINISTRATION

The TCCI Board of Directors is elected every 4 years The TCCI Board of Directors is elected every 4 years and comprises 61 members. The board also elects 4 and comprises 61 members. The board also elects 4 honorary members, while 10 additional members are honorary members, while 10 additional members are appointed by law.appointed by law.

The board elects an administrative committee with 5 The board elects an administrative committee with 5 members, responsible for most of the everyday members, responsible for most of the everyday decision making, the representation of TCCI in decision making, the representation of TCCI in missions, conferences, meetings etc.missions, conferences, meetings etc.

TCCI NETWORKTCCI NETWORK

The TCCI participates in:The TCCI participates in:

the International Chamber of Commerce the International Chamber of Commerce the Eurochambresthe Eurochambres the Centre of International and Europeanthe Centre of International and European Economic Law Economic Law the Association of Balkan Chambersthe Association of Balkan Chambers The Arab - Greek Chamber of Commerce and IndustryThe Arab - Greek Chamber of Commerce and Industry The Union of Hellenic Chambers of Commerce and The Union of Hellenic Chambers of Commerce and

IndustryIndustry the Hellenic External Trade Organizationthe Hellenic External Trade Organization

TCCI NETWORKTCCI NETWORK

the Greek Export Councilthe Greek Export Council the Regional Council of Central Macedoniathe Regional Council of Central Macedonia the Regional Fund for the Development of Central the Regional Fund for the Development of Central

MacedoniaMacedonia the Society for the development of private the Society for the development of private

infrastructures in Northern Greece infrastructures in Northern Greece the Hellenic Network for Corporate Social the Hellenic Network for Corporate Social

ResponsibilityResponsibility The Hellenic Chambers Transport Association The Hellenic Chambers Transport Association The Chamber Group for the Development of the The Chamber Group for the Development of the

Greek IslandsGreek Islands

TCCI SERVICES TCCI SERVICES

TCCI Provides its members with: TCCI Provides its members with:

Registration, cancellation and company’s history Registration, cancellation and company’s history certificatescertificates

Certificates of originCertificates of origin

Authentification of the genuine / identical signature of Authentification of the genuine / identical signature of the companies’ representativesthe companies’ representatives

TCCI provides an one – stop – shop service for the TCCI provides an one – stop – shop service for the creation of new enterprisescreation of new enterprises

TCCI provides a General Commercial Registry service TCCI provides a General Commercial Registry service for its membersfor its members

TCCI SERVICES TCCI SERVICES TCCI provides its members and other Greek companies with TCCI provides its members and other Greek companies with

information concerning:information concerning:Members’ registry (companies’ info by sector) Members’ registry (companies’ info by sector) Existing legislation concerning business activities Existing legislation concerning business activities

(Investment incentives Law, Labor Law etc.)(Investment incentives Law, Labor Law etc.)International tendersInternational tendersBusiness opportunities in other countriesBusiness opportunities in other countriesCustoms and tax issuesCustoms and tax issuesFunding opportunities via National Strategic Reference Funding opportunities via National Strategic Reference

Framework or European Calls Framework or European Calls Foreign countries’ economies (macroeconomic data, Foreign countries’ economies (macroeconomic data,

market research, business guides etc.)market research, business guides etc.)Conferences and fora of business interest organized in Conferences and fora of business interest organized in

Greece and abroadGreece and abroad

TCCI SERVICES TCCI SERVICES

TCCI provides foreign companies with information TCCI provides foreign companies with information concerning:concerning:

Members’ registry Members’ registry Thessaloniki exporters registry Thessaloniki exporters registry Existing legislation concerning the setting up of a Existing legislation concerning the setting up of a

business organization in Greece business organization in Greece The business environment in Greece (Property and The business environment in Greece (Property and

Labor Law, Investment incentives law etc.)Labor Law, Investment incentives law etc.)

The Chamber also organizes meetings, conferences The Chamber also organizes meetings, conferences and lectures on current subjects of business and lectures on current subjects of business interestinterest

TCCI SERVICES TCCI SERVICES

Through this cooperation, Greek companies can Through this cooperation, Greek companies can be involved in the procurement programmes for the be involved in the procurement programmes for the purchase of goods and services required in WB- purchase of goods and services required in WB- financed projects and financed projects and have access to financial and technical assistance for have access to financial and technical assistance for the realization of investment projects in emerging or the realization of investment projects in emerging or developing economies. developing economies.

TCCI hosts the Private Sector Liaison Office to the TCCI hosts the Private Sector Liaison Office to the World Bank in Greece, which aims at expanding the World Bank in Greece, which aims at expanding the cooperation of the Greek private sector with the cooperation of the Greek private sector with the WorldBank Group.WorldBank Group.

TCCI TRAINING TCCI TRAINING TCCI organizes training seminars for entrepreneurs, TCCI organizes training seminars for entrepreneurs, company executives and employees in subjects such company executives and employees in subjects such as: as: Communication, marketing and salesCommunication, marketing and salesNegotiation techniques Negotiation techniques Management of SMEsManagement of SMEsBusiness planningBusiness planningE- commerce, applied informatics and networksE- commerce, applied informatics and networksExport marketingExport marketingIntroduction to accountingIntroduction to accountingBasic Knowledge of Italian and Spanish LanguageBasic Knowledge of Italian and Spanish LanguageOccupational Health and SafetyOccupational Health and Safety

TCCI TRAININGTCCI TRAINING More precisely, the TCCI provides every year: More precisely, the TCCI provides every year: A session of vocational training seminars for A session of vocational training seminars for

employees of its member enterprises (only Small employees of its member enterprises (only Small Enterprises up to 25 employees), programme LAEK Enterprises up to 25 employees), programme LAEK 1-25 of the Greek Employment Organisation (OAED). 1-25 of the Greek Employment Organisation (OAED). 1.408 employees have been trained since 2005, 256 1.408 employees have been trained since 2005, 256 only in 2012.only in 2012.

A session of seminars addressed to enterpreneurs A session of seminars addressed to enterpreneurs and business executives. More than 3.000 persons and business executives. More than 3.000 persons have been trained since 1999.have been trained since 1999.

A session of Occupational Health and Safety A session of Occupational Health and Safety seminars for employers who desire to perform the seminars for employers who desire to perform the role of Safety Expert of their enterprise. 747 role of Safety Expert of their enterprise. 747 employers have been trained since 2001.employers have been trained since 2001.

Other specialised seminars of business interest, in Other specialised seminars of business interest, in cooperation with highly qualified trainerscooperation with highly qualified trainers

TCCI ACTIVITIES TCCI ACTIVITIES

TCCI participates in official State missions abroad TCCI participates in official State missions abroad aiming at the promotion of the Greek economy and aiming at the promotion of the Greek economy and the attraction of foreign direct investments. the attraction of foreign direct investments.

Organizes business missions abroad with full Organizes business missions abroad with full support to its members (organization of private support to its members (organization of private meetings, secretarial services, interpretation etc).meetings, secretarial services, interpretation etc).

Receives foreign business delegations at its Receives foreign business delegations at its premises.premises.

Participates in international fairs in Greece and Participates in international fairs in Greece and abroad and supports financially member enterprises abroad and supports financially member enterprises that also wish to participate.that also wish to participate.

IIn collaboration with other organizations from n collaboration with other organizations from Greece and abroad,Greece and abroad, TCCI TCCI implementsimplements projects projects aiming at the development of the Thessaloniki area, aiming at the development of the Thessaloniki area, the enhancement of the competitiveness of its the enhancement of the competitiveness of its members enterprises and the improvement of its members enterprises and the improvement of its servicesservices..

Furthermore, TCCI considers its participation in Furthermore, TCCI considers its participation in projects realised in the framework of EU projects realised in the framework of EU programs, an opportunity for European co-programs, an opportunity for European co-operation and networking, not only with other operation and networking, not only with other Chambers, but also with a variety of organisations Chambers, but also with a variety of organisations like institutes, academia, public bodies, NGOs etc.like institutes, academia, public bodies, NGOs etc.

TCCI PARTICIPATION IN EU TCCI PARTICIPATION IN EU PROGRAMMESPROGRAMMES

As a result, the TCCI has participated in the As a result, the TCCI has participated in the preparation and submission of a number of different preparation and submission of a number of different proposals in the framework of Calls of European proposals in the framework of Calls of European programs, like Interreg, Objective 3, Lifelong Learning programs, like Interreg, Objective 3, Lifelong Learning Program, EU enlargement, Intelligent Energy Europe et Program, EU enlargement, Intelligent Energy Europe et al.al.

Various projects have been implemented since 2004 Various projects have been implemented since 2004 and others are being actually implemented, while and others are being actually implemented, while project proposals are constantly submitted in the project proposals are constantly submitted in the framework of current Programme Callsframework of current Programme Calls

TCCI PARTICIPATION IN EU TCCI PARTICIPATION IN EU PROGRAMMESPROGRAMMES

TCCI PARTICIPATION IN EU TCCI PARTICIPATION IN EU PROGRAMMESPROGRAMMES

Actually the TCCI participates as partner in the Actually the TCCI participates as partner in the implementation of 5 EU projects:implementation of 5 EU projects:

Project “WIDE - Growing of SMEs: organizational Project “WIDE - Growing of SMEs: organizational Innovation and Development in MED area”, programme Innovation and Development in MED area”, programme MED. WIDE aims at strengthening Micro/SMEs MED. WIDE aims at strengthening Micro/SMEs innovation capacities, through strategic cooperation innovation capacities, through strategic cooperation between MED public and private actors. between MED public and private actors.

Project “LOSAMEDCHEM - How could the logistics Project “LOSAMEDCHEM - How could the logistics and the safety of the transport of chemicals be and the safety of the transport of chemicals be improved in the Mediterranean area”, programme MED. improved in the Mediterranean area”, programme MED. LOSAMEDCHEM aims at promoting environment LOSAMEDCHEM aims at promoting environment friendly transport of chemicals in the Mediterranean friendly transport of chemicals in the Mediterranean region.region.

TCCI PARTICIPATION IN EU TCCI PARTICIPATION IN EU PROGRAMMESPROGRAMMES

Project “EGNATIA VAE - Cross Border Vertical Axes Project “EGNATIA VAE - Cross Border Vertical Axes of Entrepreneurship in support Youth and Women”, of Entrepreneurship in support Youth and Women”, programme Greece - Bulgaria 2007 - 2013. The main programme Greece - Bulgaria 2007 - 2013. The main project’s objective is the support and promotion of project’s objective is the support and promotion of entrepreneurship in the cross - border regions entrepreneurship in the cross - border regions adjacent to the Egnatia Motorway vertical axes.adjacent to the Egnatia Motorway vertical axes.

Project “ELIE - Employability: Learning through Project “ELIE - Employability: Learning through International Entrepreneurship”, Life Long Learning International Entrepreneurship”, Life Long Learning Programme ERASMUS. ELIE’s aim is the Programme ERASMUS. ELIE’s aim is the development and piloting of a Learning Framework development and piloting of a Learning Framework that facilitates Employability and Entrepreneurship that facilitates Employability and Entrepreneurship in a Cross - Cultural Environment in a Cross - Cultural Environment

TCCI PARTICIPATION IN EU TCCI PARTICIPATION IN EU PROGRAMMESPROGRAMMES

Project “VALO - ECQA Valorisation Expert Training Project “VALO - ECQA Valorisation Expert Training and Certification”, programme Life Long Learning and Certification”, programme Life Long Learning Programme Leonardo Da Vinci. The general aims Programme Leonardo Da Vinci. The general aims and objectives of the project are to create a new and objectives of the project are to create a new certified Valorisation Expert profession, added to the certified Valorisation Expert profession, added to the 18 existing certifications of the European 18 existing certifications of the European Certification and Qualification Association (ECQA). Certification and Qualification Association (ECQA).

TCCI COMMUNICATION TOOLSTCCI COMMUNICATION TOOLS

The web site of TCCI: www.tcci.gr, which The web site of TCCI: www.tcci.gr, which covers a wide range of issues of immediate covers a wide range of issues of immediate business interestbusiness interest

The trimonthly bulletin sent to members The trimonthly bulletin sent to members

Frequent group fax and e-mail Frequent group fax and e-mail communications to its memberscommunications to its members

GREEK EXTERNAL TRADEGREEK EXTERNAL TRADEEXPORTSEXPORTS

Value of Greek exports in 2011: 22,451,020,103€Value of Greek exports in 2011: 22,451,020,103€

Importance in the Greek GDP: 10.44%Importance in the Greek GDP: 10.44%

Significant growth of exports in 2011, of 38%Significant growth of exports in 2011, of 38%

The growth was due to the increase of The growth was due to the increase of competitiveness of Greek products, thanks to the competitiveness of Greek products, thanks to the reduction of their prices, but also thanks to the turn reduction of their prices, but also thanks to the turn of more Greek enterprises to extroverty.of more Greek enterprises to extroverty.

Exports to the EU represent 51% of the total.Exports to the EU represent 51% of the total.

Main exported products are foods and beverages, Main exported products are foods and beverages, industrial products, oil products, chemicals. industrial products, oil products, chemicals.

MAIN COMMERCIALPARTNERS

%

ITALY 9%

GERMANY 8%

TURKEY 8%

CYPRUS 6%

BULGARIA 6%

USA 5%

UK 4%

FRANCE 3%

GREEK EXTERNAL TRADEGREEK EXTERNAL TRADEEXPORTSEXPORTS

GREEK EXTERNAL TRADEGREEK EXTERNAL TRADEIMPORTSIMPORTS

Value of Greek imports in 2011: 43,272,609,226€Value of Greek imports in 2011: 43,272,609,226€

Decrease of imports in 2011, of 9.3%Decrease of imports in 2011, of 9.3%

The decrease was due to the restrictive economic The decrease was due to the restrictive economic policy applied in Greece as a result of the severe policy applied in Greece as a result of the severe financial crisis.financial crisis.

Imports from the EU represent 54% of the total.Imports from the EU represent 54% of the total.

Main imported products are machinery, vehicles, Main imported products are machinery, vehicles, fossil fuels, chemicals and foods. fossil fuels, chemicals and foods.

MAIN COMMERCIALPARTNERS

%

GERMANY 11%

ITALY 9%

RUSSIA 9%

CHINA 6%

FRANCE 5%

HOLLAND 5%

UK 3%

USA 2%

GREEK EXTERNAL TRADEGREEK EXTERNAL TRADEIMPORTSIMPORTS

GREEK EXTERNAL TRADE GREEK EXTERNAL TRADE BALANCEBALANCE

Amounts in million €

2011 2010 2009

EXPORTS 22,451 16,248 14,392

IMPORTS 43,273 47,721 48,087

TRADE BALANCE

-20,822 -31,473 -33,965

Thank you forThank you for your attention ! your attention !