Greece: Europe’s Largest Exporter for 2012

Greece proved to be the largest exporter among European countries for 2012. Greece’s exports reached 26.7 billion euros, according to the Secretary General of International Economic Relations and Development Cooperation Department, Panayiotis Michalos.

According to the Secretary General of the Ministry of Development, Seraphim Tsokas, despite the various difficulties Greek businesses had to deal with, Greek exports in 2012 increased by 17%. In regard to this,Tsokas referred to an outdated promotion model of Greek exports.

As he noted, the Ministry of Development makes 25 actions to reduce time by 50% and the cost of exports by 20%.

This will lead to a 10% increase in the value of exports, 1.7% of the GDP’s increase and will create 80, 000 new jobs by 2015.

“Today, only those who dare to be exposed to international competition have a chance of survival,” Deputy Foreign Minister Dimitris Kourkoulas said. He added that high quality and improved competitiveness will reach high levels in the next years.

The president of the Pan-Hellenic Exporters Association Christina Sakellarides, noted that the banking crisis creates an opportunity to see the creation of a bank that would finance the exporting processes.

Christina Flora

Source: Greek Reporter