An agora for 20,000 people
‘Supply Chain & Logistics Exhibition’ in Athens. The ninth ‘Supply Chain & Logistics – Cargo Truck & Van Expo’ is scheduled for Athens from 30 September – 2 October. The organiser gave us some advance details.
What can visitors to your event expect, Mr Dimitriadis?
Omind Creatives has been putting on the ‘Supply Chain & Logistics’ exhibition every two years since 2007. It’s the only trade fair of its kind for Greece, the largest in the Balkan region, and is one of the most recognised trade events in the field of freight, logistics, warehousing equipment and the connection of these fields with that of commercial vehicles.
That’s why, for the fourth time now, a parallel fair, entitled ‘Cargo Truck & Van Expo’, will also be held along with our main event.
What features will this year’s fair have on offer?
At each event the exhibition introduces innovations and new tools for exhibitors and visitors alike. The strongest trend already visible for this year’s exhibition is great public interest as well as an increase in companies participating. We already have three halls with more than 300 exhibiting companies lined up from Greece, Cyprus, the Balkans, Turkey and several other countries.
The part of the trade fair that’s been upgraded most this year is the section looking at industrial automation and 3PL services. Furthermore, there are major industrial builders participating, and finally ports and rail logistics companies, amongst many others.
At the same time, visitors have the opportunity this year to take a close look at zero-emission vans and green lorries on display, as part of the ‘Cargo Truck & Van’ section.
Another series of events being put on in parallel are the ‘Logic Days’, a well-known event brand in Greece staged by ‘Supply Chain & Logistics’ magazine (SC & L). More than ten events are being organised that will attract public interest in current issues in the supply chain and logistics markets.
This year the exhibition will also enjoy the state’s overall support. Three ministries and nine collective sector bodies will attend and participate in discussions as well as being in contact with the exhibitors themselves. International exhibitors, in turn, will be an added attraction for visitors. More than 20,000 were registered at the previous edition in 2021.
What’s your assessment of the condition of the Greek logistics sector?
Greece has been at the centre of developments in international trade in recent years, proving to the public that it has the potential to become a key transit hub for trade between Asia and Europe.
The significant growth of the port of Piraeus (ranked fourth in Europe), the completion of road / rail infrastructure links, as well as the strong interest from Balkan capitals for direct rail interconnections to and from Thessaloniki have further increased its potential.
If you add to this new plans to organise logistics centres operating in the country it becomes clear that the 7–10% that the sector now contributes to national GDP can multiply in the coming years and create new prospects. Greece was ranked 19th in the World Bank’s latest ‘Logistics Performance Index’ (LPI). The national target is to enter the top ten worldwide in the coming years.