The need to transform the geostrategic superiority of Greece and Israel into an immediate business result was underlined by the President of EBEA, Mr. Giannis Bratakos.
The chairman, at the speech at the Mare Med III conference, which began today in Athens, focused his address on the transformation of the Eastern Mediterranean from a transit zone to a powerful hub of stability and innovation, highlighting the role of the two countries as the critical bridge that now connects Europe with the Middle East and India.
In particular, Mr. Bratakos noted that this year’s event is evolving into an essential platform for business networking between Greece and Israel. “It is another step to maintain the momentum that has already been created in the Greek-Israeli business ecosystem,” he said, stressing that now “it is an opportunity to move from acquaintance to cooperation and from good intentions to concrete business deals.”
Analysing the new strategic dynamics of the Eastern Mediterranean, the President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry underlined the upgraded role of the two countries, saying that “Greece and Israel are called upon to act as bridges between Europe, the Eastern Mediterranean, the Middle East and India as hubs of stability, innovation, trade, energy, technology and security“. In this context, the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) assumes strategic importance as it “can signal a new development paradigm linking ports, transport, energy, logistics, digital infrastructure, investment and human capital”.
Special emphasis was placed by Mr. Bratakos on the complementarity of the two economies, noting that Greece offers access to the European market and maritime infrastructure, while Israel offers technological superiority and innovative solutions. As he pointed out, synergy can create a direct footprint in maritime, energy (renewable energy, storage), in defence and in agricultural innovation (smart farming, water saving). In the field of tourism, he spoke of joint initiatives that highlight the Eastern Mediterranean as a single investment area.
Closing his speech, Mr. Bratakos made it clear that SEEA will continue to take the lead in enhancing extroversion, ensuring that Greek enterprises will be first movers in the new growth corridors. “Greece and Israel can contribute to the formation of a new axis of cooperation that will connect markets, people, technologies and opportunities,” the President of the Hellenic Chamber of Commerce and Industry stressed.
