"The Greek economy is emerging from a dark seven-year period, having suffered a 27% reduction in GDP, which is the largest ever recorded on a global level, including the crisis in 1929. But the economy is like a compressed spring, and it is up to us, through our decisions, to impart momentum so that we can capitalise on its dynamic".
Alternate Foreign Minister G. Katrougalos stressed this, among other things, addressing a special event on economic diplomacy, which was held by the Foreign Ministry's B1 Directorate for Strategic Planning with the aim of pointing up the actions for strengthening the Greek economy's international orientation.
The Greek economy, Mr. Katrougalos added, is entering a new cycle without austerity measures in the coming years, and there will be new prospects and increased economic activity in new sectors, including the food and pharmaceutical sectors. The crisis was an occasion for bolstering the economy's international orientation. Obviously, of course, the country needs a new productive model, a project that the Economy Ministry is promoting. The Foreign Ministry is endeavouring to coordinate the co-competent agencies so as to bolster the international orientation of the country's economy.
There has been an effort of late to boost economic transactions with countries such as Saudi Arabia and Iran, and with emerging markets, such as that of Indonesia.
Economic diplomacy's main arm is the Economic and Commercial Affairs offices at our embassies abroad. But cooperation between the state and private agencies is also vital to the further strengthening of the Greek economy's international orientation.
April 25, 2017