SA’s Hellenic business leaders are building new ties with the relaunch of Hacci SA

A group of emerging Greek South Australian business leaders has revived a chamber of commerce dedicated to supporting the Hellenic business diaspora in the state, reports adelaidenow.com.au

The Hellenic Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s new SA chapter (HACCI SA) will host networking and other events, offer mentoring and develop a business directory and app designed to build stronger connections between Greek Australians within the state as with their interstate and overseas peers.

While a Greek chamber of commerce was established in SA in the late 1990s, it has been dormant for nine years.

The re-launch is being led by a newly formed board chaired by Kosta Koutsonas, including KPMG partner Alex Demetriou and University of Adelaide law professor Dr Sylvia Villios.

Mr Koutsonas, a director of business and strategy at Samaras Group, said the local branch of the HACCI formed part of a federation of chambers operating across the country.

He said it would support greater collaboration between businesses and professionals within Australia and also help facilitate trade opportunities between local businesses and partners in Greece and Cyprus.

“We met with the trade commissioner in Sydney and were overwhelmed by the opportunities that exist for businesses in our state. This includes sourcing a highly skilled and competent labour force to migrate to South Australia and work remotely from Greece.”

Mr Koutsonas said there was a proud history of Greek migrants contributing to the state’s economic development and growth, which had continued in recent years, prior to Covid-19, with a new flow of Greek migrants into the state.

“The first generation of migrants left their mark on SA – they came here as tradesmen, farmers and fishermen, and built successful businesses, shaped our state, and contributed to the community,” he said.

“Their sons and daughters are thriving, contributing to our state’s economy.

“It’s time for the community to come together and leverage the hard work of the previous generations and grow as a community. We feel HACCI SA can be the platform that will unlock the learnings from the past and hand them over to the next generation.”

A launch event for the new HACCI SA will be held at Parliament House on March 1.