The Hellenic Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (HACCI) National Federation (HNF) made a significant step towards strengthening bilateral trade ties, through a series of pivotal meetings held in Greece in January 2025.
Dr Elena Mamouni Limnios, Chair of HACCI National Federation, met with representatives of the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), Piraeus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), Thessaloniki Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI), and the Greek Exporters Association (SEVE).
These discussions aimed to enhance bilateral trade and cultural connections between Greece and Australia.
It was the first in-person meetings of the newly appointed HNF Council chair with the leading Greek Industry, Commerce, and Export Organisations, following the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2024.
Through these engagements, HNF reaffirmed its determination to foster strong ties between Greece and Australia, with a focus on driving innovation, collaboration, and economic growth.
Dr Limnios had a warm and fruitful discussion with Vassilis Korkidis, President of PCCI, exploring opportunities for collaboration within Greece’s maritime industry, particularly around the AUKUS agreement and the potential for Greek involvement in submarine construction and specialised training. Discussions also included leveraging Maritime Hellas, Greece’s first official maritime cluster, to foster innovation and strengthen maritime business ties between the two countries.
While in Athens, Dr Limnios also met with Sofia Kounenaki Efraimoglou, President of ACCI, discussing opportunities to showcase Greek entrepreneurship and innovation in Australia. Among the topics of focus was ACCI’s Athens Startup Business Incubator (Th.E.A.), which supports new entrepreneurs, and the potential for a future trade delegation from Greece to Australia, with HACCI’s support in coordinating industry-specific events.
A significant outcome from meetings with SEVE representatives Simeon Diamantidis and Panagiotis Hassapis was the confirmation that Mr Hassapis will join HACCI WA’s Back to Business event in February 2025 as a guest speaker. The focus of his presentation will be on trade and export activities between Greece and Australia. Furthermore, discussions centred around organising seminars for members via teleconference and possible sector-specific trade delegations. The HNF also committed to supporting SEVE’s initiatives aimed at enhancing Greece’s export capacity to Australia.
In her meeting with the TCCI, Dr Limnios had the opportunity to touch on a series of issues of mutual interest. One of the key agreements was to survey TCCI members to identify sectors with the highest potential for trade with Australia. Initial teleconference meetings were proposed as a first step toward building relationships between businesses in both countries. Dr Limnios also reiterated the HNF’s ongoing advocacy for direct flights between Australia and Greece to facilitate smoother business exchanges.
Looking ahead: Opportunities for growth
These meetings demonstrated the strong interest in deepening bilateral ties and fostering collaboration across various sectors. One of the common themes emerging from these meetings was the joint commitment to support the ongoing efforts to address any policy barriers impeding trade between Greece and Australia.
Dr Limnios noted that these strategic partnerships, coupled with the potential for future trade delegations and targeted events, will provide valuable opportunities for businesses on both sides of the world.
“The discussions I had in Greece were incredibly fruitful, and I am excited about the future opportunities for Hellenic Australian businesses,” Dr Limnios said.
“Our ongoing collaboration with the Chambers and associations in Greece will create new pathways for innovation, investment, and trade. It’s an exciting time for our business communities, and the HACCI National Federation is committed to ensuring we continue to support these growing partnerships.”
To that end, there are already a few key initiatives under discussion, not least among them a proposal to hold sector-specific teleconference meetings to connect Australian and Greek businesses as a first step toward deeper collaboration.
The HNF remains committed to advancing its mission of strengthening the bilateral trade relationship between Greece and Australia. Through continued collaboration with key stakeholders, HNF is poised to unlock new opportunities for businesses and professionals in both countries.
“The potential for growth through stronger partnerships with Greece is tremendous. With each meeting, we are creating pathways for businesses to expand and innovate. We are excited for the future and look forward to deepening our relationships with our Greek counterparts,” Dr Limnios said.
