A riveting workshop for exports in Japan
This year’s FOOD EXPORT SUMMIT which was co-organized with SEVE was dedicated to the Japanese market and the export potential of Greek food and beverages, won excellent reviews.
Greek manufacturing and trading companies looking for new business opportunities beyond the Greek borders, were given the chance to enhance their knowledge into the significant Japanese market through the presentations of experienced and acclaimed rapporteurs. The enormous potential created by the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement, whereby businesses and consumers all across Europe and Japan can now benefit from the largest free trade area in the world, as well as the new impetus that will be given to the trade relations between Greece and Japan, were some of the key issues of the workshop. The future prospects for the trade cooperation between the two countries, through the exports of Greek Food & Beverages, in the presence of His Excellency Yasuhiro Shimizu, the Ambassador of Japan to Greece, were unveiled at the Food Stage in Hall 2, which, for two hours, was transformed into a veritable business dōjō.
Left: Yasuhiro Shimizu, the Ambassador of Japan to Greece, Right: Ms Irene Kama from the Office for Economic and Commercial Affairs at the Embassy of Greece in Tokyo
The Summit opened with an address by His Excellency Yasuhiro Shimizu and by Mr. George Konstantopoulos, President of Greek Exporters Association, which was followed by Mr Panagiotis Chasapis, executive VP of the Greek International Business Association (SEVE), who described the course of Greek exports, painting a very realistic picture of their level and prospects. They were followed by Ms Irene Kama from the Office for Economic and Commercial Affairs at the Embassy of Greece in Tokyo, focusing on the prospects and peculiarities of the Japanese food and drink market.
Left: Mr George Vanidis, Export Director at Mevgal, Right: Mr. George Konstantopoulos, President of Greek Exporters Association
The exchange of business experience is always welcome. That is why the input of Mr Stelios Polychroniadis (VP at EURIMAC AE) and Mr George Vanidis (Export Director at Mevgal SA) concerning the export experience of their respective companies, proved extremely valuable. The difficulties they have faced, the benefits they have reaped, as well as the peculiarities of this particular market and the reasons the Japanese market was chosen as an export destination, were disclosed.
The event was concluded with presentations from Mr Konosuke Matsumoto (Executive General Manager, Food Material Procurement Division, AOHATA) and Mr Athanassios Fragis (CEO at Nostimia Co. Ltd) who revealed the point of view of F&B importers.