The interest of more than 80 Greek and Indian companies and organisations was expressed in the online event on the shipping industry of the two countries organised on November 21 by Enterprise Greece, the Piraeus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (EBIP) and Invest India.
The event aimed to explore possibilities for cooperation in the maritime sector of the two countries and promote bilateral trade.
The seminar was opened with a greeting by Mrs Betty Alexandropoulou, Authorised Consultant & Member of the Board of Directors of Enterprise Greece.
Alexandropoulou pointed out that Greece and India have recently strengthened their bilateral relations at a strategic and commercial level and are already achieving significant results.
She emphasised that shipping is undoubtedly an integral part of the Greek identity. Alexandropoulou underlined that the Greek merchant fleet is about half of the EU fleet, while 31% of the tankers worldwide are of Greek interests and 25% of the bulk carriers' loads.
In addition, she referred to the recent proposal by the Indian government to create a new rail and sea corridor connecting India and Greece through the Middle East, strengthening India-EU ties.
On behalf of the Piraeus Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr Vassilis S. Korkidis, President of the Piraeus Chamber of Commerce and Industry, addressed a greeting who, among other things, noted that Greece and India are two countries in which the shipbuilding and repair sector is reviving in a period at a time when shipyard capacity in Asia is facing constraints due to a large number of newbuilding orders.
He emphasised that this juncture could bring Greece and India closer together to develop synergies that would lead to a win-win relationship but would also be an occasion for the further development of bilateral economic relations.
A.A. also addressed a greeting. Mr. Rudrendra TANDON, Ambassador of the Embassy of India in Greece, invited the seminar participants to refer to appropriate ways of approaching Greek shipping companies by Indian counterparts to conclude commercial agreements in the shipping sector.
In the main part of the event, Mr Korkidis referred to the Greek Shipbuilding Industry, and Mr Achladitis, Vice President of the Piraeus Chamber of Commerce & Industry, covered the issue of Maritime Logistics.
At the same time, Ms Kritika SINGH, Senior Vice President of the Maritime Sector of Invest India, showcased India's shipping industry and addressed India's port infrastructure, among others.
S.A. Mr. Dimitrios IOANNOU, Ambassador of Greece to India, added that the Greek merchant fleet is a crucial contributor to the development of the Indian economy, which will soon be the third largest in the world.
Opportunities for cooperation between Greece and India in the shipping sector were presented in detail by Mr Georgios X. Xiradakis, Managing Director, XRTC Business Consultants, President of the Association of Banking and Financial Executives of Hellenic Shipping, who spoke about the globalisation of Greek shipping and the future of the Greek-Indian relationship in the shipping industry.
In the same spirit, Mr. Georgios Alexandratos, Vice President of the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping, referred to the synergies and prospects presented by the maritime cooperation between India and Greece.
Ms. Eleni Polychronopoulou, President of the Hellenic Marine Equipment Manufacturers (HEMEXPO), underlined the positive impression she got from HEMEXPO's participation in the national pavilion at the recent Indian marine equipment exhibition INMEX SMM India 2023 (Mumbai, 4-6 October 2023).
It is noted that it was the first time that our country participated with a national stand in this particular exhibition, with the support of Enterprise Greece, which Ms. Polychronopoulou thanked in her speech.
The online event took place in a warm atmosphere, and the participating agencies expressed their desire to organise meetings in Greece with industry representatives from India in person.
READ MORE: “Greece and India: A millennia-old friendship that grows stronger” – Mitsotakis’ ‘Times of India’ article.
