3rd Arab Greek Forum - Welcome to "3rd Arab Greek Economic Forum" Athens, September 23rd-25th 2010

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Welcome to "3rd Arab Greek Economic Forum" Athens, September 23rd-25th 2010

Building on the success of the two preceding events in 2006 & 2008 the 3^rd Arab-Greek Economic Forum: “Fostering business alliances to tap emerging opportunities” will bring together the Greek and the Arab business communities aiming to strengthen and broaden the economic relations of Greece with all Arab states. Heads of States, Ministers and executives are also expected to honor the event with their presence to reaffirm their interest in enhancing relations with Greece at all levels. More than 300 businessmen and high rank executives are expected to attend and to engage indirect communication with Greek enterprises to take stock on existing ventures and explore new win-win synergies. The Forum will be reached in targeted presentations and highlight opportunities in the fields of environment and green economy, energy and renewables, constructions and building materials, new technologies, transportation, tourism, financing. SEV the main Business Organization in Greece and the Arab Hellenic Chamber of Commerce and Development, the liaison with all Arab Chambers, invites you to be part of the Forum and to advantage from a unique opportunity for lobbying and partnering.

Messages

Mr Bantali Antar
Chairman of Arab-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce & Development
I thank all attending this Forum and I extend “a warm welcome” to all our visiting international guests to Greece. This Forum exists to provide opportunities to our delegates and partners to better equip and research in “Step by Step” system for mutual and cultural benefits. The Forums from the previous years have set the basis for developing new business opportunities and establishing stronger links between our countries. I sincerely wish that this year’s Forum will be even more successful and our discussions will lead not only to nurturing and growing the existing business relationships, but also to expanding into new areas and investment fields. Location, traditional history and culture similarities are only some of the most known links between Greeks and Arabs. Tied by historical and cultural bonds, along with our mutual respect, makes our cooperation and understanding easier and more effective. With hard work we can create long term benefits for everyone by promoting opportunities for business leaders and professionals to network, connect and strengthen relationships, bringing sustainable development for our economies and building an entrepreneurial culture of innovation among us. Our aim is to provide understanding, guidance and respect to create new opportunities for enhanced business partnerships between Greece and the Arab countries. As all of you, are aware, world economic climate recently has not been kind to Greece. In the current economic climate, where recession has affected most countries around the world, Middle East and especially the Gulf countries seem to have tackled the problems more effectively than countries in the West. Greece, now more than ever, needs to strengthen trade and business relationships with their neighboring Arabs so that both sides expand their economies and be competitive within the global markets.

The Arab-Greek Chamber hopes to invite, encourage and support such activities to utilize trade and business developments with Greece as a gateway to the European Union markets. This deep understanding between Greece and the Arab world will remain the basis of our collaboration and the foundation for our common success.

Mr Dimitris Daskalopoulos
Chairman of SEV Hellenic Federation of Enterprises
I welcome all Arab delegates and Greek delegates to this Forum that aspires to provide a new window of opportunity for wider opening of our markets to each other. The Euro-Mediterranean Business Forum that took place on July 2009, has provided all of us with useful insights and experiences. Our aim, now, is to capitalize on the significant body of work that has been accumulated and to create new prospects for enhanced business partnerships between Greece and the Arab countries. In spite of the world financial crisis and its negative impact on the real economy, the Arab countries, by and large, have managed to retain their growth dynamic. Reach natural resources, major infrastructure projects and a strong capital position are responsible for this. In Greece the problems of the public sector have affected the private economy in an adverse way. This development makes it all the more necessary for us to maintain the dynamism that has characterized our business community over the past 15 years, by looking outward from Greece. Yes, indeed, we are in the hunt for new economic allies, for new projects, for new opportunities. Greece is a worthy investment destination, an important economic player in South East Europe and a door for endeavors in the entire European Union.
I am certain that the 3rd Arab-Greek Economic Forum will be a major event with major successes for all of our countries. The world around us is changing at a rapid pace, to rapid for our complete understanding, perhaps. So it is very important for all of us to learn from each other, to work with each other, to understand each other. There are strategic alliances to form, economic collaborations to promote, business opportunities to explore and implement. All will contribute to the welfare of our countries and will help us to be competitive on the world markets. Greece has been at the forefront of building bridges with the Arab World. It is these bridges that we now want to reinforce and expand. This passing of time has demonstrated the resilience of our ties. It is a resilience based on a reciprocal respect for each other’s culture that goes way back in history. This deep understanding between Greece and the Arab World will remain the basis of our collaboration and the foundation of our common success.

Dr Athanase Lavidas
Vice Chairman of BoD & Head of International Affairs of SEV Hellenic Federation of Enterprises
Greece lies in the heart of the Mediterranean, a doorstep to the Middle East, within the reach of Gulf markets. Being in the southern flag of the European Union, it has built links and strong relations that are unique in the Balkans. This accumulated experience, through strategic alliances and growing regional co-operations and financial relations can be leveraged for the mutual benefits of Greece and all Arab States. Relationships between the Arab world and Greece has been distinctly positive since the dawn of history, whereas in the economic field- though steadily growing over the years- lag behind true potential. Greek companies shall reshape their orientation towards the Arab markets where there are ample opportunities for investments, trade and joint-ventures. Retrospectively, in the course of Greece’s private sector aspiration to rebound and re-generate growth, Arab funds can find trusted partners in Greece to perform profitable ventures in the country and the region.

The Forum will be rich in topics and issues that center the future of greek and Arab relations in all its different aspects. We entrust that our esteemed guests, politicians, leading economic players, SME’s, Organizations and Institutions will reflect constructively and will commit to nourish and strengthen our common future. Through an extensive program of pre-scheduled individual business meetings and an innovative Arab-Greek business Village the Forum will offer a suitable platform for networking, contacts, new synergies. Entrusting that Greeks and their Arab colleagues share the same vision, I welcome all our guests to this flagship event and invite them to participate actively and benefit at the most.

Mr Mohamed ElKhazmi
Secretary General of Arab-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce & Development
It is once again our great pleasure as the Arab-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce & Development to host jointly with SEV the 3^rd Arab-Greek Economic Forum in particular in light of the fact that the Chamber is celebrating its 30^th anniversary. The AGEF has reached an unparallel status in the short time of its existence and has in the past attracted a truly elite group of speakers as well as delegates from Greece and around the Arab World. Given the Global Financial and Economic turmoil that has gripped the world since the end of 2008 and difficult time that Greece is going through, such Forum is more needed than ever to try to shed light on the tremendous volatility that the Global economy is currently experiencing as well as to begin to learn some lessons and to draw some conclusions.
As such the 3^rd AGEF of 2010 will promote the theme “ Fostering business alliances to tab emerging opportunities” in order to take a forward looking to identify the undiscovered business and investment opportunities in Greece and in the Arab world, and in the same time to strengthen the relationships in a world with strategic alliances. We at the Arab Hellenic chamber believe that this is the right moment to grasp and capitalize on the long historical and friendly ties between Arabs & Greeks.
As an organizer of the Forum we will strive hard to meet the expectations that have been laid out in front of us to deliver to you a constructive and forward looking international economic event that has and will prove useful both for Greeks & Arabs. I invite you to participate actively in the 3^rd AGEF and look forward to welcome you to Athens in 23^rd -25^th of September 2010.

Registration
Save the date and make your reservations and requests for B2B here!
On-line registration is compulsory. No participation fee. »registration

Venue
The Divani Apollon Palace & Spa will host the businessmen for the 3rd Arab-Hellenic Economic Forum. »more

Parallel Events
The Arab Greek Business Village will be set up to allow companies, sponsors, Organizations and Institutions to promote their products and services and to hold pre-scheduled individual meetings through the event. »more

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Events

The Arab delegates will be offered a unique visit to Acropolis, the most historic and f...

	Mr Bantali Antar Chairman of Arab-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce & Development I thank all attending this Forum and I extend “a warm welcome” to all our visiting international guests to Greece. This Forum exists to provide opportunities to our delegates and partners to better equip and research in “Step by Step” system for mutual and cultural benefits. The Forums from the previous years have set the basis for developing new business opportunities and establishing stronger links between our countries. I sincerely wish that this year’s Forum will be even more successful and our discussions will lead not only to nurturing and growing the existing business relationships, but also to expanding into new areas and investment fields. Location, traditional history and culture similarities are only some of the most known links between Greeks and Arabs. Tied by historical and cultural bonds, along with our mutual respect, makes our cooperation and understanding easier and more effective. With hard work we can create long term benefits for everyone by promoting opportunities for business leaders and professionals to network, connect and strengthen relationships, bringing sustainable development for our economies and building an entrepreneurial culture of innovation among us. Our aim is to provide understanding, guidance and respect to create new opportunities for enhanced business partnerships between Greece and the Arab countries. As all of you, are aware, world economic climate recently has not been kind to Greece. In the current economic climate, where recession has affected most countries around the world, Middle East and especially the Gulf countries seem to have tackled the problems more effectively than countries in the West. Greece, now more than ever, needs to strengthen trade and business relationships with their neighboring Arabs so that both sides expand their economies and be competitive within the global markets. The Arab-Greek Chamber hopes to invite, encourage and support such activities to utilize trade and business developments with Greece as a gateway to the European Union markets. This deep understanding between Greece and the Arab world will remain the basis of our collaboration and the foundation for our common success.
	Mr Dimitris Daskalopoulos Chairman of SEV Hellenic Federation of Enterprises I welcome all Arab delegates and Greek delegates to this Forum that aspires to provide a new window of opportunity for wider opening of our markets to each other. The Euro-Mediterranean Business Forum that took place on July 2009, has provided all of us with useful insights and experiences. Our aim, now, is to capitalize on the significant body of work that has been accumulated and to create new prospects for enhanced business partnerships between Greece and the Arab countries. In spite of the world financial crisis and its negative impact on the real economy, the Arab countries, by and large, have managed to retain their growth dynamic. Reach natural resources, major infrastructure projects and a strong capital position are responsible for this. In Greece the problems of the public sector have affected the private economy in an adverse way. This development makes it all the more necessary for us to maintain the dynamism that has characterized our business community over the past 15 years, by looking outward from Greece. Yes, indeed, we are in the hunt for new economic allies, for new projects, for new opportunities. Greece is a worthy investment destination, an important economic player in South East Europe and a door for endeavors in the entire European Union. I am certain that the 3rd Arab-Greek Economic Forum will be a major event with major successes for all of our countries. The world around us is changing at a rapid pace, to rapid for our complete understanding, perhaps. So it is very important for all of us to learn from each other, to work with each other, to understand each other. There are strategic alliances to form, economic collaborations to promote, business opportunities to explore and implement. All will contribute to the welfare of our countries and will help us to be competitive on the world markets. Greece has been at the forefront of building bridges with the Arab World. It is these bridges that we now want to reinforce and expand. This passing of time has demonstrated the resilience of our ties. It is a resilience based on a reciprocal respect for each other’s culture that goes way back in history. This deep understanding between Greece and the Arab World will remain the basis of our collaboration and the foundation of our common success.
	Dr Athanase Lavidas Vice Chairman of BoD & Head of International Affairs of SEV Hellenic Federation of Enterprises Greece lies in the heart of the Mediterranean, a doorstep to the Middle East, within the reach of Gulf markets. Being in the southern flag of the European Union, it has built links and strong relations that are unique in the Balkans. This accumulated experience, through strategic alliances and growing regional co-operations and financial relations can be leveraged for the mutual benefits of Greece and all Arab States. Relationships between the Arab world and Greece has been distinctly positive since the dawn of history, whereas in the economic field- though steadily growing over the years- lag behind true potential. Greek companies shall reshape their orientation towards the Arab markets where there are ample opportunities for investments, trade and joint-ventures. Retrospectively, in the course of Greece’s private sector aspiration to rebound and re-generate growth, Arab funds can find trusted partners in Greece to perform profitable ventures in the country and the region. The Forum will be rich in topics and issues that center the future of greek and Arab relations in all its different aspects. We entrust that our esteemed guests, politicians, leading economic players, SME’s, Organizations and Institutions will reflect constructively and will commit to nourish and strengthen our common future. Through an extensive program of pre-scheduled individual business meetings and an innovative Arab-Greek business Village the Forum will offer a suitable platform for networking, contacts, new synergies. Entrusting that Greeks and their Arab colleagues share the same vision, I welcome all our guests to this flagship event and invite them to participate actively and benefit at the most.
	Mr Mohamed ElKhazmi Secretary General of Arab-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce & Development It is once again our great pleasure as the Arab-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce & Development to host jointly with SEV the 3^rd Arab-Greek Economic Forum in particular in light of the fact that the Chamber is celebrating its 30^th anniversary. The AGEF has reached an unparallel status in the short time of its existence and has in the past attracted a truly elite group of speakers as well as delegates from Greece and around the Arab World. Given the Global Financial and Economic turmoil that has gripped the world since the end of 2008 and difficult time that Greece is going through, such Forum is more needed than ever to try to shed light on the tremendous volatility that the Global economy is currently experiencing as well as to begin to learn some lessons and to draw some conclusions. As such the 3^rd AGEF of 2010 will promote the theme *“ Fostering business alliances to tab emerging opportunities”* in order to take a forward looking to identify the undiscovered business and investment opportunities in Greece and in the Arab world, and in the same time to strengthen the relationships in a world with strategic alliances. We at the Arab Hellenic chamber believe that this is the right moment to grasp and capitalize on the long historical and friendly ties between Arabs & Greeks. As an organizer of the Forum we will strive hard to meet the expectations that have been laid out in front of us to deliver to you a constructive and forward looking international economic event that has and will prove useful both for Greeks & Arabs. I invite you to participate actively in the 3^rd AGEF and look forward to welcome you to Athens in 23^rd -25^th of September 2010.