Untitled Document
Information on Greece
Official Name |
|
Hellenic Republic |
Capital |
: |
Athens |
Other Cities |
: |
Thessaloniki, Patras, Irakleon, Volos, Larissa |
National Day |
: |
25 March (Anniversary of declaration of independence in 1821) |
Geography |
|
|
Total Area |
: |
131,957 sq. kms., Land Area-130,800 sq. kms. |
Land Boundaries |
: |
Albania, Bulgaria, FYROM and Turkey |
Coastline |
: |
15,021 kms |
Climate |
: |
Warm and dry in summer and cool with moderate rains in winter. (Max. Temp. 40 ° C & Min. Temp. 0° C) |
Currency |
: |
Euro |
Time: Summer Winter |
: |
IST (-) 2 ½ hours (GMT +3 hours) IST (-) 3 ½ hours (GMT +2 hours) (Summer time is from last Sunday in March till last Sunday in October) |
Population |
|
|
Population |
: |
11.17 million (2007 estimate). Another 10 million Greeks are estimated to live abroad. |
Religion |
: |
Greek Orthodox Christians-97.6%, Muslims 1.3% Roman Catholic Christians 0.4%, Others 0.7% |
Language |
: |
Greek |
Literacy |
: |
93% (Male-98% & Female-89%) |
Political |
|
|
Head of State [www.presidency.gr] |
: |
President, elected by Parliament for a 5-year term. Mr. Karolos Papoulias (since 12.3.2005) |
Hellenic Parliament [www.parliament.gr] |
: |
300 members. Elected directly by the people for a 4- year term. Last election held in September 2007 |
National Government |
: |
Council of Ministers headed by Prime Minister, appointed by President, on basis of majority support. |
Head of Government [www.primeminister.gr] |
: |
Prime Minister: Mr. George Papandreou (since 06.10.2009. Pan Hellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK)) |
Ministry of Foreign Affairs[www.mfa.gr]
|
: |
Foreign Minister : Mr. George Papandreou (since 07.10.2009) |
Political Parties |
: |
Pan Hellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) -160MPs New Democracy (ND) – 91 MPs Communist (KKE) - 21 MPs Orthodox Popular Rally (LAOS) Party - 15 MPs Coalition of Left and Progressive Forces (SYNASPISMOS) - 13 MPs
|
Provinces/Administrative Division |
: |
51 prefectures - Achaia, Aitolia kai Akarmania, Argolis, Arkadia, Arta, Attiki, Chalkidiki, Chanion, Chios, Dodekanisos, Drama, Evros, Everytania, Avvoia, Florina, Fokidos, Fthiotis, Grevena, Ileia, Imathia, Ioannina, Iraklion, Karditsa, Kastoria, Kavala, Kefallinia, Kerkyra, Kilkis, Korinthia, Kozani, Kyklades, Lakonia, Larisa, Lasithi, Lefkas, Lesvos, Magnisia, Messinia, Pella, Pieria, Preveza, Rethynnis, Rodopi, Samos, Serrai, Thesprotia, Thessaloniki, Trikala, Voiotia, Xanthi, Zakynthos and 1 autonomous region -Agion Oros (Mt. Athos).
|
Membership of International Organizations |
: |
-UN and its Specialized Agencies -World Bank/IMF -North Atlantic Treaty Organization(NATO) -World Trade Organization (WTO) -Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) -Organization for Economic Cooperation & Development (OECD) -Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) -Council of Europe
|
Imports Major Import sources Exports Major export destinations Major Industries FDI Inflow FDI Stock in Greece FDI Outflow Greek FDI Stock Abroad |
: : : : : : : : : |
US $ 86.1 billion (2008) Germany, Italy, France, Russia, China and Netherlands US$ 25.6 billion (2008) Germany, Italy, Cyprus, France, UK and USA Tourism, Shipping, Food and Tobacco processing, Textiles, Chemicals, Metal products, Mining and Petroleum. US $ 1.9 billion (2007) US $ 43 billion (2007) US $ 5.3 billion (2007) US $ 24 billion (2007)
|
|
Economy |
Agriculture, tourism and shipping are the mainstay of the Greek economy. Greek investment in south-eastern Europe, especially in banking, is also developing as a valuable asset. Greece has enjoyed strong growth over the past few years, averaging over 4%, largely because of investment inflow and infrastructure upgrades for the 2004 Olympic Games. While Greece's GDP has been well above the eurozone average, public debt, inflation and unemployment have also been above eurozone average. Greece is the 3rd largest producer of olive oil in the world, which accounts for about 12% of its food exports, followed by fish products (about 8%).
|
Exporting to Greece |
The Community Customs Code, the Common Customs Tariff and the Greek Customs Code apply to all imports into Greece. Greece has customs controlled free zones and free warehouses, in which duty may be reduced or may not apply. There is also provision for temporary import. Quantitative restrictions, direct quota and tariff ceilings according to EU regulations apply in certain cases. Such items require an import licence issued by the Ministry of Economy and Finance. Certain items like firearms and explosives require prior import clearance.
Anti-dumping and countervailing duties can also be imposed in accordance with EU regulations.
Agents and customs brokers are commonly used. Payment should normally be done through banks and exports should be only against letters of credit.
|
Shipping |
Shipping is traditionally one of the most important sources of income and foreign exchange of the country. According to the Greek Shipping Corporation Committee, in February 2008, Greeks around the world owned 4173 ships with a total of 262 million dwt, representing 16.4% of the world fleet dead weight. Of these, 1197 ships were under the Greek flag with a total of 95.9 million dwt. Greece's foreign exchange earnings from shipping were estimated to be about Euro 17 billion in 2007. |
Tourism |
Greece ranks among the 10 top tourist destinations in the world. According to the Association of Greek Tourist Enterprises, tourism accounts for about 18% of the GDP and 19% of employment in Greece. About 17 million tourists visit Greece every year. |
Useful Links : www.culture.gr www.mintour.gr
|
Major Newspapers (all in Greek except Athens News)
1. TA NEA No. 3 Chr. Lada Street, 10237, Athens Tel : 00-30-210 333355 Fax : 210 3228797 www.tanea.gr
2. ELEFTHEROTYPIA No. 10-16 Minoos Street, 117-43, Athens Tel : 00-30-210 9296001, Fax : 210 9028311-3 www.enet.gr
3. ETHNOS As. Nektariou Benaki Street, 15238, Halandri Tel : 00-30-210 6061000 Fax : 210 6391337 www.ethnos.gr
4. APOGERMATINI No. 12 Feidiou Street, 10678, Athens Tel : 210 3818811-5 Fax : 210 3609876 www.apogevmatini.gr
5. KATHIMERINI – Also brings out an English edition except Sundays No. 2 Dim. Folireos Street, 18547, Piraeus Tel : 00-30-210 4808000 Fax : 210 4808202 www.kathimerini.gr
6. ADESMEFTOS TYPOS No. 166 Ionias Street, 11144 Athens Tel : 00-30-210 2112620 Fax : 210 2017385 www.adesmeytos.gr
7. Athens News (English Weekly) 3 Christou Lada, 102 37 Athens. Tel: 00-30-210 333370 Fax: 210 3333701 www.athensnews.gr
TV Channels
1. MEGA channel No. 4 Roussou & Messogeon Ave. 115-26Athens Tel : 00-30-210 6903000 Fax : 210 6983600 Website : www.megatv.com E-mail : publ_rel@megatv.com
2. ANTENNA TV No. 10-12 Kiffisias ave, Agora Center, 151-25, Maroussi Tel : 00-30-210 6886100 Fax : 210 6892116 www.antenna.gr
3. ALPHA No. 201 Pireos Street, 118-53 Athens Tel : 00-30-210 4897777-8 Fax : 210 48974468 Website : www.alphatv.gr E-mail : master@alphatv.gr
4. ALTER CHANNEL No. 40 Ag. Paraskevis Street 121-32, Peristeri Tel : 00-30-210 5707000 Fax : 210 5707070 www.alter.gr
5. ET-1 No. 136, Messogeion Aven, 115-27 Athens Tel : 0030-210 7758824 Fax : 210 7797776 www.tvradio.ert.gr
6. NET NO. 432 Messogeion ave., 153-42 Athens Tel : 00-30-210 6066000 Fax : 210 6080823 www.tvradio.ert.gr
7. ET-3 Stratou Ave & Kaftatzoglou Street, 54621 Thessaloniki Tel : 00-30-2310299400 Fax : 2310 299750-2 www.ert3.gr
|
Major think tanks on foreign policy issues:
|
Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP), Athens Greece (www.eliamep.gr) Institute of International Relations, Athens, Greece (www.idis.gr)
- Major Greek banks
- Major Greek commercial organizations
|
Main Greek Commercial Organizations
7, Akadimias str.,
106 71, Athens, Greece.
Tel.: (+30) 210 3604815-9, 210 3602411-9
Fax: (+30) 210 3616464
www.acci.gr / E-mail: ebea@acci.gr
29,Tsimiski str.,
546 24, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Tel.: (+30) 2310 370100, 2310 370132
Fax: (+30) 2310 370166, 2310 370114
www.ebeth.gr / E-mail: root@ebeth.gr
1, Loudovikou str.,
185 31 Piraeus, Greece.
Tel.: (+30) 210 4177241/-5
Fax: (+30) 210 4178680
www.pcci.gr / Email: evep@pcci.gr
11, Kratinou Str,
105 52 Athens, Greece.
Tel.: (+30) 210 5228925, 210 5221725, 210 5221515
Fax: (+30) 210 5242568, 210 5229403
www.pse.gr / E-mail: pse@otenet.gr
www.eves.gr / E-mail: eves@otenet.gr
1, Vas. Konstantinou str.,
67 100 Xanthi, Greece.
Tel.: (+30) 25410 25105, 25410 22533
Fax: (+30) 25410 25987
www.ebex.gr
86-88, Marinou Antypa str.,
163 46 Ilioupoli, Athens, Greece.
Tel.: (+30) 210 9982100
Fax: (+30) 210 9969100
www.hepo.gr / E-mail: info@hepo.gr, infocenter@hepo.gr
4, K. Krystalli str.,
546 30, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Tel.: (+30) 2310 510047
Fax: (+30) 2310 510046
E-mail: thes@hepo.gr
66, Marikas Kotopouli str.,
45 445 Ioannina, Greece.
Tel.: (+30) 26510 32763, 26510 32469
Fax: (+30) 26510 32163
Email: opeipir1@otenet.gr
5, Xenofontos str., Syntagma,
105 57 Athens, Greece.
Tel.: (+30) 211 5006000
Fax: (+30) 210 3229929
www.sev.org.gr / E-mail: info@sev.org.gr
6, Efessou str.,
171 21 Nea Smyrni, Athens, Greece.
Tel.: (+30) 210 9329650
Fax: (+30) 210 9329649
www.esvep.gr / E-mail: info@esvep.gr
Kanigos Square,
101 81 Athens, Greece.
Tel.: (+30) 210 3893000
www.ypan.gr
(Ministry of Economy & Finance)
5-7 Nikis str.,
101 80 Athens, Greece.
Tel.: (+30) 210 3332402, 210 3332406, 210 3332384
Fax: (+30) 210 3332449
www.ggea.gr/index_en.htm / E-mail: hellaskps@mnec.gr
56, Mesogeion Ave.,
115 27 Athens, Greece.
Tel.: (+30) 801 11 36300 (calling only from Greece)
Fax: (+30) 210 7450883 www.antagonistikotita.gr/epan/site/Home/t_section
16, Xenias str., 115 28 Athens, Greece. Tel.: (+30) 210 7491370/-1 Fax: (+30) 210 7491146 www.eommex.gr/english/index.htm / E-mail: interel@eommex.gr
21, Ag. Sofias str.,
154 51 N. Psychiko, Greece.
Tel.: (+30) 210 6711177, 210 6723215, 210 6754835
Fax: (+30) 210 6711080
www.sevt.gr / E-mail: sevt@hol.gr
154, Egnatias str., 546 36,
Thessaloniki, Greece.
Tel.: (+30) 2310 291111
www.helexpo.gr / Email: helexpo@helexpo.gr
18A, Ermou str.,
54 62
| | |
|