Doing Business in Greece
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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		 :

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:

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:

:

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:		  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

  •   Athens Chamber of Commerce & Industry

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

 

  •   Thessaloniki Chamber of Commerce & Industry

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

 

  •   Piraeus Chamber of Commerce & Industry

1, Loudovikou str.,

185 31 Piraeus, Greece.

Tel.: (+30) 210 4177241/-5

Fax: (+30) 210 4178680

www.pcci.gr / Email: evep@pcci.gr

 

  •   Panhellenic Exporters Association

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

 

  •   Serres Chamber of Commerce & Industry

www.eves.gr / E-mail: eves@otenet.gr

 

  •   Xanthi Chamber of Commerce & Industry

1, Vas. Konstantinou str.,

67 100 Xanthi, Greece.

Tel.: (+30) 25410 25105, 25410 22533

Fax: (+30) 25410 25987

www.ebex.gr

 

  •   Hellenic Foreign Trade Board (HEPO)

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

 

  •   Hellenic Foreign Trade Board (HEPO) – North Greece Office

4, K. Krystalli str.,

546 30, Thessaloniki, Greece.

Tel.: (+30) 2310 510047

Fax: (+30) 2310 510046

E-mail: thes@hepo.gr

 

  •   Hellenic Foreign Trade Board (HEPO) – Ioannina Office

66, Marikas Kotopouli str.,

45 445 Ioannina, Greece.

Tel.: (+30) 26510 32763, 26510 32469

Fax: (+30) 26510 32163

Email: opeipir1@otenet.gr

 

  •   Federation of Greek Industries (SEV – Hellenic Federation of Enterprises)

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

  •   Greek Association of Branded Products Manufacturers (ESVEP)

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

 

  •   General Secretariat of Commerce (Ministry of Development)

Kanigos Square,

101 81 Athens, Greece.

Tel.: (+30) 210 3893000

www.ypan.gr

 

  •   General Secretariat for Investments and Development (G.G.E.A.)

(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

 

  •   Special Secretariat for Competitiveness (Ministry of Development)

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 

 

  •  Hellenic Organization of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises and Handicraft S.A. (EOMMEX    S.A.)

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

 

  •   Association of Greek Food Industries (SEVT)

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

 

  •   Helexpo S.A. (the main Greek Exhibitions Organiser)

154, Egnatias str., 546 36,

Thessaloniki, Greece.

Tel.: (+30) 2310 291111

www.helexpo.gr / Email: helexpo@helexpo.gr

 

  •   Hellenic Fashion Industry Association (SEPEE)

18A, Ermou str.,

54 62


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