The multidimensional value of tomato

The Greek agricultural sector has always been the cornerstone of the national economy.Tomato is not merely an integral element of the Mediterranean diet– it is a key driver of the Greek economy in general and of the economy of specific regions such as Central Macedonia, Thessaly and Peloponnese. Its cultivation represents a high percentage of the primary agricultural sector and it remains, consistently, among the country's top exported agricultural products, especially in high-demand markets, such as the UK, France, Germany, as well as in Greek Diaspora communities across the globe.

Notably, tomato serves as a vital raw material for the food industry and the production of sauces, juices and a wide range of derivative products. The multidimensional value of tomato is also evident in the creation of thousands of jobs, employing workers across all stages of the agriculture production chain.

An integral part of the Mediterranean diet

In 2010, the Mediterranean diet was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, as it represents a living cultural practice. The Mediterranean diet promotes longevity, reflects traditional cooking practices and culinary techniques, emphasizes sustainability through the use of seasonal local and unprocessed products.

Tomato is one of the core ingredients of the Mediterranean diet, valued both for its exceptional nutritional profile, as well as its culinary indispensability. It is rich in vitamin C, potassium, fiber, and has been associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and certain types of cancer. Furthermore, the tomato is deeply embedded in the daily Mediterranean diet, with its most famous culinary uses including the Greek (xoriatiki) salad, Gemista, stuffed with rice, and as a base for various tomato sauces used in multiple traditional dishes. Due to its wide range of culinary uses, the tomato reflects its everyday presence in Mediterranean life.

From Traditional Farming to Entrepreneurial Innovation

Today’s engagement in the agricultural sector must be distinguished from the “traditional farming way of life” of the past centuries. Agriculture, in the early years of the modern Greek state, was primarily a rural activity, carried out by small-scale farmers, who cultivated their small plots of land for family and local consumption, having no formal business plan. In contrast, today, tomato cultivation has broken these boundaries, evolving into a professional business activity for passionate connoisseurs of the rich Greek land, who operate across large geographic areas and apply modern agricultural expertise.

Greek tomato cultivation has embraced modernization, without losing its quality. Modern cultivation of products does not solely depend on traditional methods and manual labour. The process is now fully modernized and equipped with advanced machinery, innovative production methods and techniques, as well as systems for sorting and distribution, extending from the primary to the tertiary sector of production. These methods also reduce vulnerability to unpredictable weather conditions, which has always been a challenge in agricultural production. Despite the use of modern methods, Greek producers maintain products purity: careful harvesting and processing, precise management of temperature and humidity and the advanced cleaning and storage systems, contribute to avoid chemical preservatives, artificial colours and the loss of their freshness. However, manual labour remains an integral part of the agricultural production sector, ensuring high-quality and essentially expressing producers' deep love for the land.

Agriculture in Motion

Today, a Greek family, in Giannitsa, in Central Macedonia, has chosen to devote themselves to the treasures of Greek agricultural production: the tomato. Apostolos Kazakis tells us his story, on how the spirit of agricultural production and processing and the love for the goods of the land has been instilled in him from a very young age. «My grandfather began in 1942, being a small-scale traditional distiller. Then my father took over, and since 2000, I have been carrying on the Kazakis family tradition». Despite the prevailing shift towards modern urban lifestyles and careers, Greek families, such as the Kazakis family, chose to remain dedicated to agriculture. « I grew up to love our family’s tradition in the agricultural field. It's a demanding job, I used to spend most of my time growing up in our facilities, observing closely the production process ». When asked, what makes this product stand out, he referred to their cultivable lands, which produce a pure product, without preservatives, made with new methods but with old « know-how» and experience. This expertise was recognised, by receiving the Authentic Greek Taste Award, in 2022, established by the globally recognized organization Greek Taste Beyond Borders GTBB. 

Apostolos’ family is one of the many Greek families, maintaining the agricultural sector of Greece, with hard work, patience and commitment to their product and their tradition. They have promoted their products in the traditional way: word spread from one person to another and recently through social media, establishing their presence, not only in Greece but worldwide. Apostolos’ products have crossed borders, reaching German, Polish, French and especially Greek Diaspora consumers. He talks about this expansion as a touching moment, being only the beginning of spreading Greek tradition and flavour across the globe.

Athanasia Santikou [written during her internship at the Department of Digital Communication of E1 Directorate for International Public Relations]

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Greece, historically, has always been blessed with fertile land. Its land, has always had plentiful gifts to offer to those who dedicate their time, effort and passion to it. Agricultural identity has shaped the way of life for the majority of Greeks, since long before the establishment of the modern Greek state. During the 1800s, while Western Europe was rapidly industrializing, Greece maintained its agricultural identity. The geomorphology of the Greek land, the semi-tropical climate and Mediterranean weather, created unique conditions for cultivating a variety of agricultural products. Key Greek production includes olive, rice, vegetables, fruits and a wide range of other products. One of the many goods Greek land has to offer is the pomegranate. Indeed, the pomegranate is a fruit deeply connected to the land and culture of Greece. Known since ancient times, it has been a symbol of life, fertility, and abundance in Greek mythology and tradition. Its vibrant red seeds and sweet-tart flavor make it a unique and cherished part of the Mediterranean diet.

The pomegranate in Greek cultural identity

Pomegranate is inseparable from the mythological, historical and cultural Greek identity. In Greek mythology pomegranate owns its own myth of Persephone and Hades. According to the myth, Plouton abducted Persephone and dragged her to the Underworld. Her mother, Demeter, goddess of agriculture was devastated: in her grief she withheld agricultural growth, causing widespread agricultural destruction. Meanwhile, Hades offered Persephone seeds of pomegranate - a symbol of marriage - thus ensuring her return to the Underworld. Zeus intervened and ordered Persephones’s return, on one condition: Persephone would have to stay 3 months of the year in the Underworld, and the rest of the year with her mother. This myth symbolizes the seasons of the year and their significance in agricultural production. Ιndeed, in Greece pomegranate is more than just a fruit—it holds symbolic value, especially during important life events and holidays.

In Greek tradition, the use of pomegranate embraces both the cycle of life and death. On January 1rst, it is customary to break a pomegranate at the doorstep, as a symbolic gesture, meant to welcome luck, prosperity and happiness to the household for the year ahead. Conversely, the pomegranate also marks the end of life. Pomegranate seeds are a key ingredient in “kolyva”, a dish prepared and offered during Orthodox rituals and funerals. In this context, these seeds symbolize eternal life and hope for spiritual rebirth in the afterlife.

A cherished part of the Mediterranean diet

The pomegranate is one of the most symbolically and nutritionally rich fruits. It is often classified as a “superfood” due to its concentration of Antioxidants, Vitamin C, Potassium and Polyphenols. These nutrients battle aging, support the immune system, slow the progression of certain chronic diseases, and benefit the heart health and fluid balance. Beyond its nutritional power, the pomegranate has an extensive gastronomic potential: It can be easily consumed as juice, offering a quick and natural boat of nutrients. Pomegranate juice is widely known and loved for its sweet, yet slightly spicy flavour. It also has an extensive use in Greek Cuisine: it is commonly used in salads, mixed with vegetables and greens, offering sweetness.

Cultivation and production

Growing pomegranates requires a year-round commitment. Its cultivation needs sun-drenched, well- drained soil, just as in the Mediterranean climate. Usually pomegranates are planted in spring or autumn, keeping a distance between each tree, to ensure good air circulation and healthy growth. The trees flower in late spring, usually between May and June. Pruning is done in winter, to keep the tree healthy and well-shaped. The fruit is picked by hand in autumn when it has been fully developed and ripe.

A Greek family in Gorgopi, Kilkis, in Northern Greece is among those who have chosen to continue this deep connection with the land and to devote themselves to the treasures of Greek agricultural production: the pomegranate. At the foothills of Mount Paico, the family of Niki Tzoni and Theodoros Tsitourides, has been dedicated for many years to producing natural pomegranate juice. «We are a third-generation farming family. Over the years, we have faced many challenges, but we remain committed to our production and passion».

As for the way the family-run enterprise operates, «the Pomegranate Juice Gorgopi» is a family business. This business is engaged in both the primary sector, where they personally cultivate and harvest pomegranate– and the secondary sector, where the fruit is carefully processed and bottled in their local facilities. This vertical integration allows the producers to maintain full control over every stage of production, thus ensuring high-quality product. More specifically, the pomegranate comes from their own estates, where they cultivate two carefully selected varieties: the sweet Acco variety and the sweet-and-sour Wonderful variety.

«We work closely with local producers in our local facilities, aiming to support our region and to preserve the unique flavour of our juice. Our goal is to offer an authentic local product». Harvest season is a special and cherished time. Locals, relatives and friends gather to help Niki and Theodoros to collect pomegranates– «It feels like a celebration, like a shared tradition». «It is not just juice, it is something I give to my children without second thought», Niki says, with the confidence of a producer, who knows every step of the process. As for the product itself, it contains no added sugar or any other preservatives, and it does not undergo any heat processing. «We ensure that the natural elements and nutrients of the juice remain intact!».

Currently, there is a growing demand for less processed products worldwide, driven by consumers’ increasing awareness of health and sustainability. This global shift aligns with the practices of traditional producers, who prioritize natural methods and quality. Regarding the potential beyond national borders, the answer is more than optimistic, «Greece has a lot to offer», says Niki. «People, especially the Greek Diaspora, increasingly seek out Greek products, natural and unprocessed». This high demand stems from the love and the pursuit of a product, that carries “the flavour of their homeland”, that cannot be replaced.

Athanasia Santikou [written during her internship at the Department of Digital Communication of E1 Directorate for International Public Relations]

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Greece achieves the fastest growth in Europe in the five-year period 2019-2023

According to the statement issued by the Greek Ministry of National Economy and Finance, over the past five years, the Greek economy has made significant progress, achieving top positions in a range of key economic indicators that reflect the noticeable improvement in people’s living standards. Greece has attained one of the fastest rates of growth in the entire EU across several key sectors.

The government does not underestimate the difficulties caused by the global inflationary shock on household purchasing power since 2022, nor does it overlook that wages and salaries still fall short of the European average. However, data shows that since 2019, there has been a transformation of the Greek economy with tangible benefits of growth and a mitigation of inequalities for the benefit of all Greeks. This progress has been recognized by international organizations, foreign governments and analysts.

Several economic indicators used by countries worldwide to reflect their growth and prosperity confirm this reality. Greece, over the last five years, holds 7 top rankings among the 27 EU member-states as a result of its high growth rate, which is among the highest in Europe, as during the period 2019-2023 it has achieved:

1. The largest reduction in the unemployment rate of any EU country.
2. The lowest cumulative increase in consumer prices, meaning the lowest cumulative inflation across Europe.
3. The largest percentage increase in investment volume
4. The largest reduction in the ratio of public debt to GDP.
5. The largest percentage increase in the share of global goods exports.
6. The largest increase in the level of competition, as defined and measured by the OECD.
7. The largest reduction in the yield spread against the German ten-year bond.

Fact 1: Over 500,000 people have found jobs over the last 5 years, according to data from the Ministry of Labor.

Moreover, according to ELSTAT data, the increase in employment has led to a reduction in unemployment by 8 percentage points, from 18% in 2019 to below 10% today, ranking Greece first for the fastest unemployment decline across Europe. This decrease is particularly pronounced among women and youth, who saw their unemployment rates drop by 10 and 16.5 percentage points, respectively. There has also been a significant reduction in the percentage of the long-term unemployed, which has decreased by 15 percentage points from 2019 to 2022 (the latest available Eurostat data). The improvement in living standards in Greece is confirmed by the positive trends in key poverty and social exclusion indicators. Specifically, according to Eurostat data, the index calculating the percentage of the population at risk of poverty and social exclusion fell from 29% in 2019 to 26.1% in 2023, converging notably towards the European average (21.4%).

Fact 2: In the last five years, both the minimum and average wages in Greece have increased more than prices.

Specifically, between 2019 and 2023, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) cumulatively increased by 13.4% and the harmonized CPI by 13.1%, a significantly lower increase than the European average (20.3%). During the same period, according to data from the ERGANI information system, the average wage increased by 20.2%, while the minimum wage has risen by 27.7% since 2019.

Fact 3: Wages and incomes in Greece are increasing, and generally at a faster pace than in Europe.

Net disposable income in Greece has increased for all types of households with working members. Specifically, according to Eurostat data, from 2019 to 2023, annual net earnings in purchasing power units have increased by between 12.3% and 15.7%, depending on the type/composition of the household. In terms of purchasing power, these earnings in 2023 rank 16th among EU 27 member-states in three of the four main reference categories, and 19^th in the fourth. Particularly for workers paid the minimum wage, Greece ranks a middle 12th among 22 member states with a legislated minimum wage in purchasing power units. Even food inflation, which is a more problematic issue compared to average inflation, has shown a downward trend in recent months. Combined with the ongoing rise in wages and incomes, this leads us to expect that disposable income will increase at a faster pace in the foreseeable future. Consequently, the claim that living standards in Greece are second to last in the EU is way off the mark.

Fact 4: Greece shows evidence of a higher rate of increase in individual consumption than the European average.

This is evident from Greece's ranking in actual individual consumption in terms of purchasing power, where in 2023 Greece stands at 79% of the European average, above six other member states. In this regard, Greece shows a higher rate of increase than the European average, with a cumulative change of 23.4% between 2019-2023, compared to 19.4% for the European average.

Fact 5: Real per capita income has increased in Greece at a rate significantly higher than the European average.

According to Eurostat data, between 2019 and 2023, real GDP per capita in Greece has increased by 7.7%, which is more than double the EU average (3.3%) and nearly triple that of the eurozone (2.3%). Even in terms of purchasing power, GDP per capita in Greece is growing faster than the European average. Over the last five years, the increase in Greece has been 22.8% against 20.1% of the EU average.

Fact 6: Greece consistently ranks among the top in absorption rates of European funds.

Greece is leveraging European resources to further enhance development. Notably, as regards the Recovery Fund, it ranks 6th in absorption across the entire EU. By October, it will have absorbed 50% of the resources (total budget of €36 billion). Similar performance is recorded in the National Strategic Reference Frameworks (NSRF) 2021-2027, where Greece ranks 3rd in absorption among EU member-states.

Fact 7: Greek deposits are increasing while household debt is decreasing.

According to data from the Bank of Greece, citizen bank deposits have increased by €27.3 billion in recent years (overall, deposits for citizens and businesses have increased by €50 billion). Additionally, there has been a significant reduction in non-performing household and business debt to banks and funds, from €92 billion in 2019 to €69 billion at the end of 2023.

Greek economic growth is recognized by all major international organizations, as well as global markets investing billions through our shares and bonds, the successful privatization program (including banks), and foreign direct investments exceeding €27 billion in the last five years. Finally, this is reflected in the recovery of the investment grade after thirteen years, a development with significant beneficial consequences for Greece’s borrowing costs and public finances. To give an example of what this means for the cost of this year’s borrowing alone, recovering the investment grade results in savings of approximately €800 million over a decade, which can in turn be invested in health, education, and the social welfare system.

Source: Greek Ministry of National Economy and Finance, full report and tables here (pdf, in Greek).

I.L., Tranlsation: Magda Hatzopoulou

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The Hellenic Film and Audiovisual Center – Creative Greece (HFAC- Creative Greece) announced that Greece has secured all the necessary resources from the National Public Investment Program and the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF) in order to support investment plans concerning the “Cash Rebate Greece” (CRGR) program.

A platform for new applications under the CRGR Program of Law 5105/2024 will launch at the beginning of the new year, enabling the processing of investment plans submitted by May 10, 2024. This initiative aims to establish a stable and reliable investment tool for the film, audiovisual, and creative industries, ensuring transparency and legal certainty, with the goal of increasing annual resources by 2025. In addition, the required amount for the completion of the approvals and pre-approvals of the selective programs of periods B of 2023 and A of 2024, which have not been announced to date has been secured from the regular budget.

Showcasing the spectacular results of the Cash Rebate 40% and Tax Relief 30% incentives rendering Greece an ideal choice for the realization of audiovisual productions, the HFAC- Creative Greece announced that from September 2023 to September 2024, 70 investment projects have been submitted and another 46 investment projects have been completed and refunded. In total, since 2019, the cash rebate has refunded 211 investment projects with the amount of €130 million, almost €50 million of which in the past year.

Recognizing the significant contribution of the audiovisual sector to a country’s economy Greece introduced in the recent years an investment mechanism in order to support audiovisual and film productions. Through a “cash rebate” system providing investment incentives for audiovisual productions (film /TV/documentary/animation/digital games) for expenses incurred in Greece, the aim is to attract foreign filmmakers and audiovisual producers supporting also domestic production companies. At the same time, Film Offices in over 13 regions and 2 major municipalities in Greece have been being established to provide the necessary infrastructure for creators. This initiative aims to facilitate the smooth implementation of their business and artistic plans, enhancing the overall production environment in the country.

I.A.

Further Greek News Agenda articles concerning the CRGR program

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Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Moldova, and Ukraine all form part of the Vertical Natural Gas Corridor, an ambitious project that aims to enhance energy security in SE and Central Europe and to increase Europe’s energy infrastructure.

Its foundations were laid back in 2022 during the "World LNG Forum and Awards 2022," organized by the Natural Gas System Operators of Greece (DESFA).  The National Operators of Greece (DESFA), Romania (Transgaz), Bulgaria (Bulgartransgaz) and Hungary (FGSZ), together with the Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria (IGB) and the Alexandroupolis Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU) project operators, signed a Memorandum of Understanding to deepen cooperation in the energy field. Ukraine, Moldova and Slovakia joined the Vertical Gas Corridor last January, in the sidelines of the Ministerial Meeting of Central and Southeastern Europe Energy Connectivity (CESEC) that took place in Athens.

The "Vertical Natural Gas Corridor" is a big gas pipeline system made up of existing and future infrastructure for natural gas. This includes pipelines, terminals for liquefied natural gas (LNG), and natural gas storage facilities. Its purpose is to transfer natural gas from Azerbaijan (through the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline or TAP) and LNG from trusted sources such as the US and Egypt towards Europe. The Vertical Corridor starts in Greece, passes through Bulgaria and reaches countries in Central, Eastern, and Southeast Europe, helping them to reduce and phase out their dependence on Russian hydrocarbons.

The illegal and unprovoked attack on Ukraine has elevated the issue of European energy security into a very high priority. At the same time, devastating wildfires and floods in Greece and the Mediterranean have highlighted the challenge of climate change and the need for transition to cleaner energy sources. Decreasing Europe’s reliance on Russian hydrocarbons and tackling climate change are major priorities.

Greece's geographical location and its proximity to major gas-producing regions, such as the Eastern Mediterranean, further enhance its role in the vertical gas corridor.

In October 2022, a big moment for the "Vertical Natural Gas Corridor" was the inauguration of the Greece-Bulgaria Natural Gas Interconnector (IGB), a milestone project that is reshaping the "energy map" of the wider region. Additionally, the Alexandroupolis floating, storage, and regasification unit (FSRU) that is Greece’s second import gate of liquefied natural gas - following the recently upgraded Revithoussa terminal - will soon become fully operational. Greece thus expects to double its LNG liquefaction capacity, further positioning itself as a crucial transit hub for gas supplies destined for Europe. As such, Greece stands to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Europe's energy landscape through the development of the vertical gas corridor.

This is an article taken from Greece In America, the official newsletter of the Embassy of Greece in Washington.

Read also via Greek News Agenda: Alexandroupolis: a new energy and transportation hub for Greece;  Marika Karagianni: “Greece can become a natural gas transportation hub”

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The pharmaceutical sector in Greece has a strong financial footprint and is among the most dynamic sectors in the country in terms of growth. Greece’s pharmaceutical market is forecast to grow by 8.2%: from $7.5 billion in 2022, to $7.8 billion in 2023. By 2027, the market is predicted to reach $9.8 billion.

According to the report  “The Pharmaceutical Market in Greece: Facts and Figures 2022” compiled by  the Foundation for Economic and Industrial Research (IOBE) in cooperation with the Hellenic Association of Pharmaceutical Companies (SfEE), the pharmaceutical sector spends on Research & Development (R&D) 8% of the overall R&D expenditure in Greece. In addition, domestic medicinal products’ manufacturing has a 6.4% share in the manufacturing sector.  According to recent IOBE estimates regarding the financial footprint of the pharmaceutical sector on Greek economy, its total contribution in GDP terms is estimated at €6.2 billion. (3.4% of GDP) in 2021. In employment terms, the overall contribution of the sector is estimated at 108 thousand jobs (2.8% of total employment).

Equally important is the role of the pharmaceutical sector in the overall external trade, with pharmaceutical product exports amounting to €2.6 billion in 2021, representing 4.7% of the total Greek commodities’ exports for 2022 to main export destinations, such as Germany, France and the UK. Right now, 10% of all generic medicine production in Europe comes from Greece.

On the occasion of the celebration of the 90th anniversary of the Pan-Hellenic Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (PEF), its vice-president Dimitris Demos surveyed the Greek pharmaceutical industry’s footprint in Greece and Europe as well as the sector’s dynamic for further growth in the years to come.

According to Mr. Demos, the Greek pharmaceutical industry is stronger than ever, but it is vital that it remains receptive to messages from the international market.  One fist such message was the coronavirus pandemic, which led to a collapse of the supply chain and to significant shortages in essential medicines in Europe. That was due, according to Mr. Demos, to the existing European strategy that promoted the purchase generics from third countries; this had led to the closure of many European production units and the transfer of their operations to countries outside the EU.

Greece, having maintained its strong local pharmaceutical industry, not only did not face the shortage problem that the rest of Europe had, but what is more, supported the health systems of the rest of the European countries with the necessary pharmaceuticals.  

The second strong signal for a change in the European strategy for pharmaceuticals came from the war in Ukraine, which, once again, left Europe facing lack of access not only to natural resources, such as natural gas and grain, but also to the raw materials that Russia supplied for industrial activities, such as ammonia for the production of fertilizers. According to Mr. Demos, 60% of the raw materials for drug production come from China, so one can only imagine the immensity of the problem for Europe if access to those materials became difficult, or even impossible.

Incentives for a European production of pharmaceuticals

Today, the E.U. is concerned about its production sufficiency in pharmaceuticals, and it is expected that incentives will be given for the production of raw materials for pharmaceuticals in Europe, as well as for the purchase pharmaceuticals of that are produced locally.

The plan for the return of the production of generics in Europe is now a fact, emphasized Mr. Demos. A few weeks ago, a law was passed in Germany, obliging, for certain categories of drugs, insurance funds to purchase 50% of their quantities from European producers. A first estimate shows at least a doubling of market size for European producers within the next 3-5 years .

In addition to the aforementioned important changes in the European strategy and the pan-European problem of interest rates and rising production costs, the Greek pharmaceutical industry has also two additional challenges to face: firstly, the loss of ten years of research into cutting-edge pharmaceutical technologies due to the economic crisis, and secondly, the ensuing brain drain.

 The answer to whether the Greek pharmaceutical industry can rise to the global market challenges, is according to Mr. Demos, a resounding yes: "As a country we may represent only 2% of the European population, but today we own 10% of Europe's generic production pharmaceutical units. In the last 3 years, through the very successful cooperation between the state and the pharmaceutical industry and the clawback liquidation law, the Greek pharmaceutical industry has been making investments, to such an extent had not been done in the last 30 years."

Growth of pharmaceutical investment in Greece

By the end of 2025, the number of production units and research centers in Greece is expected to increase from 72 and 27 respectively, to 107 production units and 41 research centers. This expansion will result in a 35% growth in the sector's footprint and the creation of 5,500 new jobs.

In financial terms, the pharmaceutical industry has already planned investments totaling 1.2 billion euros since 2022. With the new announcement cycle expected for the years 2024-2025, the total investment amount is projected to increase to 1.5 billion euros. Furthermore, the geographical expansion of the sector's investments will generate employment opportunities across the country, spanning from Sappes, Halkidiki, Thessaloniki, and Ioannina, to Trikala and Lamia, as well as the Northern and Eastern sectors of Attica, and extending to Corinth, Patras, and Tripoli.

These investments will establish a new industrial sector in Greece, that of the production of raw materials for pharmaceuticals. Additionally, the 14 new research centers established by the pharmaceutical industry can serve as incubators for university researchers and mark the start of the industry’s biotechnology journey.  The hope is that these substantial investments in biotechnology will create conditions conducive for brilliant Greek scientists to return to the country.

In addition, the Pan-Hellenic Association of Pharmaceutical Industries has started implementing training programs for young scientists, while at the same time planning vocational orientation programs for high school students, programs throughout the country and especially in the areas where new factories are being built.

Mr. Demos concludes that the Greek pharmaceutical industry is experiencing an unprecedented growth trajectory. It is operating at a startup pace, swiftly overcoming the challenges of the past decade's crisis, while seizing opportunities presented by the global market. Its ambition is to emerge as the leading pharmaceutical industry in Europe.

The pharmaceutical industry: An overview

According to Enterprise Greece, with a highly skilled workforce and an established R&D and manufacturing capability, the Greek Life Sciences and Pharmaceuticals industry exhibits significant growth potential both in serving the internal market, as well as in expanding its reach beyond national borders.

In the Pharmaceuticals sector, the manufacturing of generics has the potential to spur growth and GVA, improving the efficiency of the Greek healthcare system and also fueling exports and growth for the Greek pharmaceuticals industry.

International pharmaceutical spending trends in recent years have highlighted the significance of lower-cost alternatives to off-patent drugs, particularly in the form of generics. This continuing trend towards generics has fueled a global industry of generic drug manufacturers that have expanded through strategic acquisitions and have developed extensive marketing and distribution networks throughout the world.

The Greek pharmaceutical sector has traditionally been a strong contributor to the Greek economy, focusing mainly on local consumption. However, this shift towards generics can provide a very strong opportunity for the sector to leverage its know-how and capabilities, focusing first on the Greek market where cost pressures are forcing a major shift towards generic drug consumption, but also on European and other markets.

There are several Greek companies already competing successfully in the international pharmaceutical markets, with a strong shift towards R&D, innovation and marketing so that they can become competitive.

Why Invest in the pharmaceutical industry Greece

Regional market potential for generic pharmaceuticals – The CEE market is expected to almost double in size over the next few years, exhibiting more than twice the annual growth rate of the rest of Europe. Greek companies are very well-positioned to tap into these markets, thanks to lower transportation costs and strong sales and distribution networks

Regional Hub for Clinical Trials: Greece has established itself as a regional hub for clinical trials and most major international pharmaceutical companies conduct clinical trials in Greece. The new legislation for clinical trials creates the platform for attracting more R&D investment in Greece.

R&D and Development know-how – Life sciences research and pharmaceuticals manufacturing have been well-established in Greece and exhibit extensive know-how and world-class collaborations.

Skilled medical personnel – Greece has a significant quantity and quality of expert physicians, who are sought after in several countries and whose expertise is a strong competitive strength.

Medical tourism market potential – The development of new medical tourism products combining healthcare and holidays is expected to dramatically increase based on the combined competitive advantages of Greece in the two sectors of tourism and healthcare, especially for the Middle East markets which have direct access to Greece.

I.L.

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Chestnuts and the Greek winter are almost synonymous. In fact, a winter sight most loved and ever so familiar to Greeks - one that has inspired painters, novelists and song makers - is the sight of the chestnut-seller (“kastanás” in Greek) sitting next to his portable brazier, having a whole heap of roasted chestnuts ready to sell in paper cornets and a whole heap more roasting. Who could really say no to the tantalizing aroma of roasted chestnuts drifting in the air, inviting everyone to take a break for a scrumptious healthy snack?

Castanea Sativa (as is its botanical name) – namely, the sweet chestnut or just chestnut - is a species of tree in the family Fagaceae, native to Southern Europe and Asia Minor, and widely cultivated throughout the temperate world. It can reach a height of 20-35 meters and requires a mild climate and adequate moisture for good growth and a good nut harvest, while it can live to more than 2,000 years of age in natural conditions. Contrary to the horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) to which it is only distantly related, this long-lived deciduous tree produces an edible seed, the (sweet) chestnut, which has been used in cooking since ancient times.

It is said that chestnut or the “Nut of Zeus” - as poet Hermippus (5th c. BC) named it in his work “Phormophoroi ("Mat-Carriers") - was held in high regard in ancient Greece. It was actually a delicacy reserved mainly for the elite; they were making honey of it, while it was considered to have numerous therapeutic applications. There are many recipes described in ancient literature and the sweet chestnuts are frequently mentioned in works by ancient Greek writers such as Homer, Xenophon, and Hippocrates.

[caption id="attachment_7013" align="aligncenter" width="855"] Chestnut-sellers in Greece (source:mixanitouxronou.gr)[/caption]

Dioscorides (40–90 AD) – Greek physician, pharmacologist, and botanist- also confirmed that the sweet chestnut is of high nutritional value with a series of medicinal properties. More specifically - and in contrast to other nuts- the sweet chestnut can be characterized as a starchy nut, low in fatty acids. Therefore, its nutritional value is better compared with that of cereal. The chestnut shows great antioxidant activity due to its high content in vitamin C, which, as it is highly resistant to heat, is maintained in all forms of consumption (raw, boiled, or even baked chestnuts).

It also contains vitamins of the B-complex that are highly beneficial for the proper function of the nervous system as well as the metabolism of nutrients. Additionally, it is an important source of minerals and fibers, which lower blood cholesterol levels. Finally, the fact that chestnuts are gluten-free makes them a very popular ingredient for preparing food without gluten nowadays.

Greece has a strong tradition of cultivating chestnut trees in coppices and orchards. In fact, Greece is among the top 10 producing countries of chestnut in the world, with exports reaching 80% of production; and according to industry players, the interest of food traders in Italy and Germany - among other countries- is enormous, as Greek chestnuts are considered to be of top-tier quality.

Chestnuts grow everywhere in Greece, in Macedonian forests in the north and all the way down to Cretan mountains in the south (approximately 55.000 hectares in total); the new harvest (during the Autumn season) is cause for celebration in many parts of the country. The proud history of chestnuts in Greece is actually celebrated every year with various festivals taking place around the country. Locals in mountainous villages and visitors alike are gathered and savor this valuable winter fruit with a glass of tsipouro or wine. Kastanitsa on the eastern side of Mt Parnon, a picturesque village which has taken its name from the chestnut tree that grows plentifully around the region, is one such example; chestnuts are the most important local produce and the basic source of income for its inhabitants.

This culinary delight is inextricably linked with winter culinary tradition in Greece, and there are various ways to enjoy it: you can try chestnuts on their own, roasted, boiled, or baked in the oven, or use them in a variety of winter recipes so as to add a unique flavor to your culinary pursuits. Although they are the perfect accompaniment to pork and poultry, the Greek traditional confectionery is where they are mostly used in. Enjoy them as a spoon sweet, in jams and spreads, while you will certainly love it in cakes such as tsoureki or vasilopita (Greek New Year’s cake).

Read also via Greek News Agenda: Greek yogurt: tradition exported; 18 Greek products that defied the crisis; Greek olive oil: the history and the future of a multifaceted product; GNA Feature on Herbs and Spices: Greece’s Comparative Advantage; Taste the unique "Greek breakfast"

E.S.

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Maira Myrogianni was appointed as Secretary General for International Economic Affairs in the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs on July 2023. She is a graduate of the School of Law of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and of the Faculty of Law of the University of Lille II in France. She is also a PhD candidate at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences of the University of Peloponnese, her scientific interests focusing on the fields of Human Rights and European Law.

Maira Myrogianni has a wide and diverse experience in public administration, having served for several years as a legal advisor for international relations to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, the Ministry of Culture & Sports, the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Labor & Social Affairs.

Secretary General Myrogianni spoke to Greek News Agenda* on Greece’s comparative advantages and why it attracts foreign investments at such high rate; the Greek economy’s more competitive sectors and its openness to international trade and markets; the importance of reforms outlined in the National Strategic Plan for Extroversion; how Greece has established itself as a digital innovation hub as well as an energy hub for Southeastern Europe, and is among the more climate-ambitious EU member states. Finally, the Secretary General spoke on the goals and initiatives of Enterprise Greece, the national state agency responsible for attracting foreign direct investment and promoting Greek exports.

What do you think are Greece's comparative advantages? Why should someone invest in our country?

Our country is now considered a leading investment destination attracting large-scale investments. It's not just momentum and favorable conditions that contribute to this, but other important factors as well, such as the improvement of the macroeconomic environment and the brave reforms promoted by the government, including rapid digital transformation, the reform of the tax system and the expansion of  available financing tools (National Recovery and Resiliency Plan - Greece 2.0). At the same time, more than 1,500 public services were digitized, which contributed to speeding up the necessary administrative procedures for making an investment.

One of the country’s main comparative advantages is the availability of professionals  that are highly trained, academically qualified, and proficient in multiple languages, while, according to recent data from the Ernst & Young “European Investment Monitor,”  most prominent among the country's appealing factors are: quality of life (75%), transport infrastructures and logistics (73%), telecommunications infrastructure / digital infrastructure (72%), Greece’s internal market (72%), and, as mentioned, skilled human resources (70%).

It is also worth bringing up the reform of investment incentives, both with the promotion of the new Development Law in 2022 that offers competitive investment incentives in the form of tax breaks, grants, wage and other subsidies, as well as with the substantial improvement of the framework for strategic investments, where investors can also enjoy an extremely wide range of incentives.

What are the most competitive productive sectors of the Greek economy and the most important markets for Greek exports? Are they venturing into new markets and if so, which ones?

Tourism, shipping, and agriculture by tradition comprise the Greek economy’s competitive sectors, while other strong productive sectors include the food and agri-food industry, energy production, management and conservation, construction and building materials, information and communication technologies (ICT).

In 2022, 55.1% of the country's total exports was directed to the European Union, demonstrating the bloc’s special significance for Greek foreign trade, while other very important markets include geographically distant countries, such as the United States of America, China, Canada, and the United Arab Emirates.

In addition, there are ventures into new markets in Southeast Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. For example, I recently visited Jakarta where I participated in the Indonesia-Europe Business Forum 2023 and presented on the occasion the opportunities that our country offers, especially in the areas of shipping, transport & interconnectivity, energy transition & Renewable Energy Sources and tourism. While in Jakarta, I also had the chance to discuss the promotion of bilateral economic and trade relations between Greece and Indonesia with political leaders and businesses entities.

Could one say that Greece has built a brand name in the investment sector, for example as a hub for technological/green investments or as a bridge between Europe and Asia in the framework of the National Strategic plan for Extroversion?

It is clear that the Greek success story has attracted investors to Greece, but also that Greek companies have become more extroverted, thanks also to the reforms outlined in the National Strategic Plan for Extroversion. The creation of a Greek brand name in the investment sector is now something tangible.

In recent years, Greece has been promoted as a digital innovation hub, with significant strategic investments in the field of IT and digital technology. What’s more, our country has been successfully positioned internationally as an energy hub in the wider region of Southeast Europe, thanks to its key geo-strategic position but also to the design and implementation of high-potential international connections, both in the electricity and natural gas markets.

Moreover, Greece is among the more climate-ambitious EU member states, supporting the goal of reducing emissions by at least 55% (as compared to 1990) by 2030, with the ultimate goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050. The ambitious National Climate and Energy Plan (NECP) and the National Climate Adaptation Strategy (establishment of a National Council and preparation of regional adaptation plans), are fully consistent with ecological and other EU priorities, and in particular with the European Green Deal.

The National Strategy for Extroversion is a necessary tool for coordinating the country's extroversion initiatives, but also an important tool for identifying and classifying target markets, actions and priority sectors for the Greek government and Greek enterprises, with the aim of supporting extroverted businesses and the organized promotion of the country's international position and image. This is the road map for Greece's extroversion actions.

Out of the 779 initiatives in total included in the 2023 National Strategic Plan for Extroversion, 130 concern the energy, environment and technology sectors, while the majority of initiatives (470) focus on the countries of Europe, the Balkans and the Middle East.

Could you briefly describe the goals Enterprise Greece? What initiatives has the organization planned for 2024 to attract new investments and reinforce the extroversion of Greek businesses and foreign trade?

Enterprise Greece, as the national state agency responsible for attracting foreign direct investment and promoting Greek exports, takes care every year to formulate the appropriate strategy relating to target markets, promotion sectors and types of business activities, depending on both the country’s needs and international conditions. We have laid the foundations for a new development model, which favors domestic entrepreneurship as well as direct foreign investments. The pillars of our development strategy focus on digital and green economy, but also on promoting social equity and long-term sustainability.

For 2024, our business planning includes a series of actions, such as holding targeted investment seminars or forums; organizing national participation in important sectoral investment exhibitions abroad; preparing and planning one-on-one meetings with international investors and organizing trade missions. At the same time, we continue to maintain and update an extensive portfolio of investment opportunities which currently includes 419 projects in various sectors of the economy.

Regarding the export sector, Enterprise Greece has designed and provides to export-oriented businesses an integrated, coherent program of services, actions and tools. The program focuses on providing three types of services: Networking, Training & Empowerment and Consulting & Information. It is also worth mentioning that Enterprise Greece has recently launched a new service for Greek exporters and potential export companies, the Export Help Desk, an innovative online platform offering daily updates to exporters on issues and procedures of foreign trade, as well as on the implementation of training programs.

Given the increase in foreign investment, as well as the new wave of investment expected following the recent recovery of Greece’s investment grade, in which areas does Enterprise Greece expect interest to be focused on in 2024?

It is a fact that Greece’s performance as regards direct foreign investment in recent years has been impressive. Greek exports have recorded a historic high: During the 3-year period 2020-2022, exports of goods increased by 77.6%, reaching a momentous 55 billion euro in 2022 (from 30.8 billion euro in 2020). These achievements of the Greek economy are expected to lead to a new investment wave, not only in its traditionally strong sectors like tourism, shipping and agriculture, but  also  in knowledge-intensive sectors, such as technology, research and development, health sciences, interdisciplinary innovation and start-up entrepreneurship.

We have already seen the first important instances of this, both with the dynamic investment entry into Greece of large multinationals corporations such as Microsoft, Google, Pfizer Cisco, HP, Digital Realty, Accenture and Deloitte in the fields of research, development and innovation, as well as with the significant investment wave attracted by the rapidly growing startup ecosystem in the country. It is worth noting that in 2021, the startup ecosystem attracted investments amounting to 540 million euro, while in 2022 the corresponding amount exceeded 325 million euro. It is worth noting that the vast majority (73%) of these investments were from abroad. In terms of target sectors, our operational action plan for 2024 aims at countries with significant investment potential –according  to official data from the OECD and the Bank of Greece–  while emphasizing sectors where Greece has a comparative advantage and in which significant investment mobility is observed, as for instance in tourism and real estate, IT and communication technologies, health sciences, agri-food, smart manufacturing, energy (RES, but also thermal production, electricity and natural gas networks, hydrocarbon research and development), environmental technologies, supply chain, business service centers and audiovisual productions.

* Interview to Ioulia Livaditi | Translation from Greek to English: Ioulia Livaditi; Editing: Magda Hatzopoulou

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SciDrones, a pioneering University of the Aegean spin-off, was awarded the CASSINI Maritime Prize during the European Space Week 2023 held in Seville this November.  This prestigious prize is a European Commission initiative to support businesses and startups that develop innovative solutions to tackle the issue of marine plastic pollution.

The prize is awarded to one or several data-driven marine digital applications that use data from EU’s satellite systems Galileo and/or Copernicus to solve problems related to the detection, monitoring, tracking and removing plastic pollution in rivers, lakes, shores and coastal zones, in order to prevent ocean pollution. The total prize is 2.85 million euros, and the top three proposals win 0.95 million euros each; this prize expected to leverage more private investment capital to the winning contestants. The award is launched by EUSPA (EU Agency for the Space Programme)  and aims at creating a new ecosystem of companies; all proposed solutions have to be close-to-market and to be able to prove their effectiveness in demonstration in a realistic environment.

SciDrones (s.s Scientific Drones), created by members of the Marine Remote Sensing Group (MRSG) of the University of the Aegean Marine Sciences Department, is among the three winners of the 2023 CASSINI prize. Using an innovative combination of Copernicus data with high-resolution UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems, i.e. drones) images and advanced AI algorythms, SciDrones developed the CMLO (Coastal Marine Litter Observatory) application with the aim of improving the detection and mapping of marine litter in the coastal zone.

The application automatically detects litter on the coasts, categorizes it into 7 different categories (plastic, paper, metal, cloth, glass & ceramic, rubber, and wood), differentiates it from other sources of natural debris, such as twigs and algae, and creates maps with areas that contain a high density of waste. Local authorities can use the app to guide their clean-up operations, allocating resources to those beaches and environments that are particularly burdened with litter and especially plastics.

Up till now, the mapping protocol of the marine litter in the coastal environment is carried out by using conventional on-site sampling. Existing data collection systems have limited ability to spatially display the concentrations of marine waste in the coastal zone. On the contrary, the use of UAS allows CMLO wide area coverage, providing the actual litter evidence (through high-resolution aerial images). Aerial imagery, in combination with machine learning methods, composes an automated procedure of locating and mapping marine litter in the coastal area. In the CMLO app, users can interact and compare the marine litter detection results for every beach monitored.

CMLO and the produced marine litter density maps can be used as a decision-making tool for policymakers and scientists. The integration and visualization of the litter density information facilitate decision-making by stakeholders and, last but not least, the litter density maps and their spatiotemporal analysis are provided open to the public and organizations (NGOs, Local authorities, Governments, researchers, etc.).

Associate Professor Konstantinos Topouzelis at the Department of  Marine Life Sciences of the University of the Aegean is the head co-founder and  SciDrones; as he explains, the company’s aims in participating to the competition were to stimulate the development of innovative solutions, to help solve problems related to the detection, monitoring and removal of plastic waste in rivers, coasts and coastal zones, and finally, to mobilize private investment and to close-to-market solutions. The close-to-market term refers to projects that launch innovative, demonstrative solutions that offer clear environmental and/or climate benefits and that have a high level of technical and business readiness.

As professor Topouzelis stresses, “this distinction attests to the internationally recognized, leading scientific and research output of the University of the Aegean, which, together with our high quality teaching and extensive contribution to society, elevates our University to one of the best in the world.”

Sci-Drones

As is mentioned on the site of Sci-Drones, the ocean receives solid waste from human activities, distributing the load widely, but not evenly. Floating marine plastics is a threatening problem for the world’s oceans. Marine plastic debris is tied to plastic production, which has grown exponentially over the last 70 years, from 1.7 million tons in 1950 to 322 million tons in 2015 (European Commission 2020). Remote sensing is one of the tools necessary for the detection of floating marine plastics because of the extensive area coverage and frequent observation. Sci-Drones' solution is the detection and monitoring of marine litter presence on coastal zones by creating marine litter density maps from aerial images using Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and sophisticated Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms.

SciDrones P.S. is a startup company located in Lesvos Island, Greece that has been founded in 2021, by a team of experts in coastal mapping. Its founders have experience in remote sensing, geoinformatics, and Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) technologiesm, and the start-up was a natural result of 7 years of intensive academic research on UAS technology and visualization of the geoinformation in the coastal area.

SciDrones’s main focus is the mapping and quantification of emerging coastal phenomena through state-of-the-art sensors; quantification includes artificial intelligence algorithms and dedicated spatiotemporal visualizations and analytical tools transform remote sensing data into real Information that drives decision-making. Besides being among the winners of the the CASSINI Prize for Digital Space Applications this year, the company has been awarded a grant from EIT Digital Venture Program 2021 and has won the first prize at the Aegean Startups 2021-22 Awards. In addition, SciDrones is an alumnus of ACEin startup incubator in Athens, Greece.

Research at the Department of Marine Sciences at Aegean University

Situated at the eastern part of the Aegean archipelago, the Department of Marine Sciences (DMS) offers Bachelor, Master and Ph.D. degrees in Oceanography, while conducting international level research in various areas related to the marine environment, such as climate change, ecosystem functioning and health, marine biodiversity and conservation, fisheries, aquaculture and marine resources in general, as well as coastal zone problems such as coastal erosion and pollution. The Department of Marine Sciences (DMS) aims to be at the forefront of marine research through observation, theory, modelling and technological innovation, as well as international collaborations with leading marine research institutes.

DMS also conducts research in a broad range of subjects related to the marine environment, Physical Oceanography and Marine Biogeochemistry, to Marine Resource Management and the study of environmental and socio-economic impacts of human-nature interactions in the coastal zone. Research over this broad range of subjects, conducted by six Research Laboratories: Environmental Quality and Geospatial Applications; Marine Biodiveristy and Ecosystems Management; Ichthyology, Aquaculture and Fish Diseases, Ecology and Systems' Dynamics; Physical & Chemical Oceanography and Coastal Morphodynamics - Management & Marine Geology.

Part of Department of Marine Sciences is the Marine Remote Sensing Group (MRSG), whose member launched the Sci-Drones spin-off. MARSC, also headed by professor Topouzelis has been conducting research for the exploration, analysis and visualization of the satellite and UAV data in the coastal environment since September 2014. The group has gained expertise in several disciplines of marine remote sensing including oil spill detection, oceanic phenomena identification, seagrass mapping, coastal bathymetry and coastline detection and boasts a large number of ongoing and completed research projects.

I.L., all images from Sci-Drones and Department of Marine Studies websites.

Read also from Greek News Agenda

• Greek Research Institute FORTH’s spinoffs & technologies go global
• New Genomics Institute in Athens: a leap for research in Greece
• Strategic Initiatives supporting the Greek startup ecosystem

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For the second consecutive time, Greece has been elected to the top spot of the Council of IMO, the International Maritime Organization. Greece secured the first place with 146 in 162 valid votes in Category "A" of the IMO Council, a global recognition of the reliability of Greece, which counts itself among the founding countries since 1958 as a provider of quality maritime services.

Category "A" is reserved for countries with the greatest stakes in the supply of maritime transport services. The successful outcome of the vote, held in the framework of the 33rd Assembly of the Organization, is due to the combined efforts of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

As Greece has been one of IMO's founding members since 1958 (with the exception of 1977) it is consistently elected in the "A" category due to the size of its merchant fleet. Recognizing the role of the IMO in regulating all matters relating to international shipping, Greece actively participates in the formation of maritime legislation with a constant presence in the work of the committees - subcommittees of the Organization, submitting proposals that regulate maritime activity in a realist manner. The purpose of the proposed regulations is their universal validity for all ships, regardless of flag (flag neutral) in addition to ensuring a level playing field.

On the occasion of Greece's re-election to the "A" category of the IMO Council, Christos Stylianidis, Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, stated that "The re-election of Greece to the first place in the IMO "A" category for the second consecutive time is an extremely important achievement of our country at a critical and difficult time for international shipping. It confirms in the most emphatic way Greece's trustworthiness and reliability, as well as our country's excellent cooperation with the Organization and its member states. At the same time, it seals Greece's dynamic and leading role in world maritime transport, as well as its decisive and long-term contribution to the formation of international maritime policy and legislation, through the submission of pragmatic and realistic proposals and our continuous engagement and active presence in the work of the Committees - Subcommittees of the body. I express my heartfelt thanks to the IMO Member States who have honored us with their trust and vote. Greece, with a high sense of responsibility, will continue to play a leading role and support dynamically and constructively the implementation of IMO's goals for safe, energy efficient, "green" and sustainable international shipping [...].

The election process to appoint the 40 IMO Council members for the 2024 term was held on Friday, December 1, 2023. Elected in Category "A" were, in order of election: Greece, Italy, Japan, China, Norway, Panama, Dem. of Korea, United Kingdom, United States, and Liberia. The IMO Assembly is held every two years and is the supreme body of the Organization.

As a specialized agency of the United Nations, IMO is the global standard-setting authority for the safety, security and environmental performance of international shipping. As such, the Organization contributes to international action to address climate change by regulating GHG emissions from international shipping. In other words, it aims to create a level playing field so that ship operators can address their problems without compromising safety, security and environmental performance. This approach also encourages innovation and efficiency.

IMO measures cover all aspects of international shipping – including ship design, construction, equipment, manning, operation and disposal – to ensure that this vital sector for remains safe, environmentally sound, energy efficient and secure.

Source: Press release of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy

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