An attractive region
Preparing the first Logistics & Transport Expo in Thessaloniki. The Logistics & Transport Expo is set to take place in Thessaloniki for the first time from 11-13 April this year. Theodoros Dimitriadis, CEO of the experienced trade fair organiser O.Mind Creatives, gave ITJ editor Andreas Haug a background briefing.
O.Mind has organised the Supply Chain & Logistics conference in Athens since 2007 (see also page 17 of ITJ 31-35 / 2023). Why does Greece need a second trade fair?
The Greek market may seem small, but from an economic point of view it operates from two poles – one in and around Athens and Attica, and the other one around Thessaloniki, where most of the productive companies involved in the country’s foreign trade are based. Northern Greece’s industry is strongly extroverted and partnerships between firms based there and counterparts in the Balkans are very interesting.
As the organiser of the only exhibition in Greece that addresses transport and logistics we believe that northern Greece and the Balkans deserve their own industry exhibition. We’ve developed a quality three-day event with crucial exhibitors and even more important visitors from the Balkans and Southeast Europe.
How is the region faring?
In this context allow me to cite EY’s ‘Attractiveness Survey Greece 2023’, which shows that foreign direct investment (FDI) in Greece grew by 57% in 2022, at a time when FDI in Europe increased by a mere 1%. Improvements in the qualitative composition of investments is continuing, with a marked inclination towards knowledge-based activities with relatively high added value.
As for the Balkans I can cite the European Commission’s most recent relevant announcement, which states that “much has been done in terms of the economic development of the region, but much more remains to be done for better governance, more cohesion as well as policies based on European values.”
How are other aspects developing?
When Bulgaria and Romania finally joined the Schengen area on 1 March, air and sea border controls between these countries and other Schengen members came to an end. This is very good for trade in the region.