The geographical location of the country in the cross roads of 3 continents is of key importance for the promotion of international trade and for investments.
The development of infrastructures regarding harbours and airports as well as the gradual delivery of major road projects modes constitute a positive background for business and creates a new map for the years to come.
The proximity to the markets in Germany and in Central Europe has attracted German investments, in the recent past, such as:
- DB Schenker, an affiliate of the German Railways, Deutsche Bahn, which since November 2016 possesses new facilities of warehouses (6.000 m2) in Aspropyrgos
- German DHL, an affiliate of the Deutsche Post, with new facilities at Athens International Airport
- Fraport Greece, which has taken over the operation of 14 regional airports in Greece, a 1,2 billion euros initial investment, followed be plans for further 357 million investment.
Logistics is one of the most crucial sectors of the Greek economy for the development of industry and manufacturing.
Along with the primary sector, new technologies, pharma industry, tourism and some others, logistics are expected to be the key drivers that will shape the new productive model of Greece.
Over the last years, logistics industry in Greece has attracted the investment interest of many stake holders at national and international level:
- Piraeus port, with the rapid improvement of its infrastructure, is now 5th in Europe and 2nd in the Mediterranean and is expected to reach 1st place in the Mediterranean
- the interconnection with the railway network creates new prospects for efficient and timely trade flows
- Thessaloniki port has risen steadily over the last year and has significant growth prospects
- the new major investment in Logistics Centre in Thriasio signifies a new era in the market
all these developments significantly enhance the country’s transit role in international freight flows.
The logistics industry in Greece (third-party services) produces about 6% of the country’s GDP, which rises to 9.5% if including its own logistics services provided internally by many commercial and manufacturing companies (figures from 2018 study by SEV and EEL).
The industry employs about 200,000 people, or 4.7% of those employed in the country.
In relation to the average of the economy, the industry
- on one hand generates a higher gross value added per employee
- on the other hand recovers at a faster rate in terms of employment
- it is also the industry that manages all the international import and export trade of the country, and transfers the Greek name to the global markets.
By rationalising the costs and by further improving the quality of the services provided, logistics in Greece are expected to reach higher operation efficiency level and to play a leading role in the coming years
- in increasing the industrial share to 12% of GDP
- in the reorientation of the Greek economy
- in the establishment of Greek internationally traded products as a reliable input into international value chains.
Following the successful presence of the Greek National Pavilion in the previous transport logistic edition in 2017, the Greek Pavilion is organised by the German-Hellenic Chamber of Industry and Commerce to showcase the advantage of Greece as “NEW GATE TO EUROPE”.
13 representative companies were present at Hall A4 (stand 223/326) to expose the dynamism and competitiveness of the sector:
FDL GROUP
GOLDAIR CARGO
INTERTRANS
ORPHEE BEINOGLOU
ALPHA INTERMODAL
CYPRUS GLOBAL LOGISTICS
ELIKON TRANSPORT & LOGISTICS
HARLAS INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORT S.A.
MULTIFREIGHT
NAVICON
O.MIND CREATIVES
THRIASIO LOGISTICS CENTER
TRANSCOMBI EXPRESS
Most of the companies took part in the Greek Pavilion in 2017, which shows the very positive results of their presence in the previous show.
They will be available to interact and discuss business with international visitors and potential partners to explore any abiding opportunities for synergies, new agreements and for large-scale projects.
In the occasion of the Greek National Pavilion in TL 2019, several parallel activities are planned, such as
- a Delegation of Greek enterprises which will visit the Fair to conduct B2B meetings
- -a networking event which will take place in the Pavilion with numerous foreign visitors, partners and customers, where business networking will be combined with Greek hospitality (“philoxenia”).
Being present in the biggest global meeting of the industry, Greek logistics aim to highlight the image of a dynamic industry that
– renews its machinery and equipment
– adopts new technologies, endorses to digitalisation
– monitors international developments and trends, adapts to future needs
– seeks to broaden its horizons in the global markets
– intensifies international networking
– constantly eyes to new opportunities
– is a reliable, efficient, competitive partner, capable to undertake large-scale projects and to conclude important international agreements.
Greece, having left behind the dead-end of a state-funded, subsidized and borrowing model and having abolished failed policies and shortcomings, envisages a future based on investments, competitiveness, efficiency, competence.
Driving force in the new development era of Greece will be the healthy, creative, adaptive, innovative private sector with dynamic enterprises such as the 13 ambassadors of Greek logistics taking part in the Greek Pavilion in Transport Logistic 2019.
