A New Bridge for Investment and Business Cooperation between Greece and China
The Association of Banking and Financial Executives of Hellenic Shipping (ABFEHS), in cooperation with XRTC Business Consultants, held the plaque unveiling ceremony marking the establishment of the Greece Liaison Office of the Shanghai Pudong Service Center for Overseas Investment in Piraeus, opening a new chapter in the economic and investment relations between Greece and China.
This initiative establishes a permanent bridge of cooperation between the business communities of the two countries, aiming to promote investment, trade, maritime cooperation, innovation, and sustainable economic development.
The event was opened by Mr. George Xiradakis, President of the Association of Banking and Financial Executives of Hellenic Shipping and CEO of XRTC Business Consultants. In his remarks, he emphasized that the establishment of the Greece Liaison Office represents not merely the creation of a new institution, but a strategic platform connecting Pudong—the financial and economic heart of Shanghai—with Piraeus, Europe’s natural gateway and one of the world’s leading maritime centers.
A keynote address was delivered by Mr. Stefanos Gkikas, Deputy Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, who noted that the establishment of the Liaison Office constitutes another significant step toward strengthening the economic relations between Greece and China, creating new opportunities for cooperation in the fields of shipping, trade, and investment.
Ms. Li Ying, Economic and Commercial Counsellor of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Greece, reaffirmed China’s longstanding commitment to deepening bilateral economic cooperation, stressing that the new Liaison Office will serve as a comprehensive platform for business networking, investment information, and investor support.
Ms. Wang Yue, General Manager of the Shanghai Pudong Service Center for Overseas Investment, presented Pudong’s global investment support network and highlighted the strategic role of the Greece Liaison Office as a key point of reference for Chinese enterprises seeking investment opportunities in Greece and Southeast Europe, as well as for Greek companies wishing to expand into the Chinese market.
A New Institution for Greece–China Investment Cooperation
The Greece Liaison Office will serve as a permanent platform for:
- promoting two-way investment between Greece and China;
- supporting business partnerships and commercial cooperation;
- providing advisory services for business establishment and market entry;
- connecting investors with institutional stakeholders and public authorities; and
- strengthening cooperation in shipping, logistics, finance, technology, green development, and international trade.
The establishment of the Greece Liaison Office reflects the shared determination of Greece and China to further strengthen their strategic partnership by creating new opportunities for investment, innovation, and sustainable economic growth for the mutual benefit of both countries.
High-Level Participation
The ceremony brought together representatives of the Greek Government, the diplomatic corps, the maritime industry, the business community, and academia, demonstrating the strategic importance of this initiative.
Among the distinguished guests were:
Ms. Sophia Kounenaki Efraimoglou, First Vice President of the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry;
Mr. Stefanos Gkikas, Deputy Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy;
Ms. Li Ying, Economic and Commercial Counsellor of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Greece;
Mr. Vassilis Korkidis, President of the Piraeus Chamber of Commerce and Industry;
- Mr. Vassilios Demetriades, former Shipping Deputy Minister of the Republic of Cyprus, representing HEMEXPO;
- Ms. Elpi Petraki, Secretary General of the Hellenic Shortsea Shipowners Association;
- Mr. Michalis Sarlis, Special Advisor to the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping;
- Mr. Dimitris Titopoulos, Secretary General of the Hellenic-Chinese Chamber of Commerce; and
- Mr. Konstantinos Koronakis, President of the Manufacturing Department of the Piraeus Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The ceremony was also honored by the presence of Mr. Konstantinos Konstantopoulos, Economic Attaché of the Embassy of the United States of America, Ms. Evita Souri, Commercial Attaché of the British Embassy, and Mr. Saleh Al Abdulrahman, Commercial Attaché of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, together with officials from the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Greece.
Senior executives from the China Classification Society (CCS), Huayang Maritime Center, Piraeus Port Authority (PPA), University of Piraeus, Juneyao Group, Franman, Golden Cargo, Tide Line, Salamis Shipyards, Sioufas Law Office, Moore, MPK Shipping, V Group, Savramis Fish, representatives of the Hellenic Maritime Cluster, members of the Association’s Board of Directors, and representatives of the media also attended the event.
The Association’s Secretary General, Mr. Konstantinos Oikonomou, Deputy General Manager – Head of Shipping Finance at Credia Bank, expressed the Board’s great satisfaction with the successful establishment of the Greece Liaison Office. He thanked Deputy Minister Stefanos Gkikas for his longstanding support of the Association’s initiatives and expressed his appreciation to the management and staff of XRTC Business Consultants for assuming the operational responsibility of the Liaison Office.
The ceremony also enjoyed the support of H.E. Ms. Fang Qiu, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Greece, as well as senior officials of the Pudong New Area Government of Shanghai. The event was broadcast online, allowing commercial organizations and companies from various regions of Shanghai and across China to participate virtually.
In closing, the organizers thanked all participants for their presence and announced the organization of a business mission to Shanghai this autumn, together with the co-organization of a major business event with other institutional organizations aimed at promoting the internationalization of the Greek business community.
The ceremony concluded with a reception and business networking meetings, during which participants reaffirmed their commitment to actively supporting the success of the Greece Liaison Office and further strengthening the economic and investment relations between Greece and China.
