The Hellenic Australian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (HACCI) National Federation (HNF) has announced its collaboration with Greece’s leading Industry, Commerce, and Export Organisations.
On Tuesday, June 18, HACCI NF signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Athens (ACCI), Piraeus (PCCI), Thessaloniki (TCCI), and the Greek Exporters Association (SEVE), aiming to foster closer collaboration and strengthen bilateral ties between Australia and Greece across various sectors including commerce, industry, and exports.
This historic agreement was forged during a series of video conferences between the HACCI NF Council and representatives of the Hellenic Industry, Commerce, and Export Organisations. It was signed by HACCI NF Council Chair and HACCI Victoria Board Chair Fotini Kypraios, HACCI WA President, Dr Elena Limnios, HACCI NT Chair Angela Tomazos, and HACCI SA Chair Kostas Koutsonas, Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry President, Sofia Kounenaki – Efraimoglou, Piraeus Chamber of Commerce and Industry President, Vassilis Korkidis, Thessaloniki Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Ioannis Masoutis, and Greek Exporters Association (SEVE) President, Symeon Diamantidis.
Through the MoU, the signatories set a collective goal to identify areas of collaboration, such as the holding of webinars, sourcing of speakers, holding joint events, and also to identify and pursue opportunities for collaboration including, but not limited to, areas such as business to business connections, trade fairs, dissemination of insights and research, mentoring, policy advocacy, events, cross promotion and marketing of initiatives, events and activities.
The MoU states a series of objectives, including networking and facilitating connections between the signatory organisations’ members, comprising Greek Australians and Greeks in business, through a centralised communication system; sharing information about events in Greece and Australia; knowledge exchange and innovation showcasing Greek businesses in Australia, through teleconference presentations and regular seminars to cultivate benefits and potential investment and other opportunities.
This landmark agreement will serve as a roadmap for the future of bilateral collaborations, strengthening the ties between Greece and Australia on a business and industry level.
Moving forward, the signatories of the MoU will appoint representatives to oversee the implementation of joint activities and initiatives. Regular meetings and communication channels will ensure effective coordination and achievement of shared objectives.
Australia’s Ambassador to Greece, Alison Duncan, welcomed the initiative and congratulated the organisations on “formalising their vision for closer collaboration with an MoU.”
“There is broad scope for growing the trade and investment relationship between Australia and Greece, and the Greek Australian business community is a key driver of stronger ties,” Ms Duncan added.
“I’m delighted to see the HACCI National Federation and their Greek counterparts creating new avenues for stronger economic and commercial cooperation in a wide range of fields. I look forward to supporting this promising new partnership.”
Greece’s Ambassador to Australia, Stavros Venizelos also congratulated the organisations on singing the MoU.
“This partnership marks an era of enhanced collaboration, aiming to explore opportunities in business-to-business connections, trade fairs, research dissemination, mentoring, and policy advocacy,” Mr Venizelos said.
“The MoU’s focus on organising webinars, sourcing expert speakers, and holding joint events will undoubtedly enhance cross-promotion and marketing of initiatives, events, and activities. This collaboration promises to strengthen ties and foster substantial growth and development in commerce and exports between Greece and Australia.”
HACCI NF Council Chair Fotini Kypraios said the federation is “thrilled to join forces with the Hellenic Industry, Commerce, and Export Organisations.”
“It is a historic moment for us, a testament to the HNF’s commitment to supporting and fostering bilateral trade and professional networks between Australia and Greece,” Ms Kypraios added.
“Since its inception, this sort of collaboration has been one of the HNF key objectives. We are building stronger bridges between Greece and Australia and creating opportunities for progress and advancement at every level.
“Every interaction we have had with stakeholders in Greece and Australia has proven that there is very strong interest in both countries to further explore avenues of bilateral collaboration. More importantly, there’s an extremely high level of skills, experience, and innovative spirit within both business and industry ecosystems, to allow these collaborations take place and bear fruit. We can’t wait to see what great outcomes this collaboration will produce.”
HACCI WA President Dr Elena Limnios concurred and said the agreement “marks a significant step in enhancing trade between Australia and Greece, benefiting not just our members but anyone interested in business or investment between the two countries.”
“We extend our gratitude to Mrs. Alison Duncan, the Australian Ambassador to Greece, for her pivotal role in strengthening our connections at the highest level. Additionally, I acknowledge the leadership of SEVE, whose suggestion earlier this year to formalise our relationship has blossomed into a broad collaboration among all our chambers and trade organisations,” Dr Limnios said.
