UK in Greece
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Lord Mayor's visit (5-9 June)
Monday 7 June
Lord Mayor met Mr Antonis Samaras
main Opposition leader.
He later met Mr Theodore Veniamis, President of the Union of Greek Shipowners and members of of the Board of Management.
In the afternoon he attended the opening of Posidonia Exhibition and several other shipping events.
Tuesday 8 June
Lord Mayor met Ms Louka Katseli, Minister for Economy, Competitiveness and Shipping.
He was later received by Prime Minister George Papandreou at Maximos Mansion.
He then met Mr Spyros Capralos, Chairman of the Athens Stock Exchange .
Later he had a working lunch with Prof Vassilios Rapanos, Chairman of the Board of National Bank of Greece and Mr Apostolos Tamvakakis, CEO of the Bank.
In the evening he attended the Posidonia Reception hosted by the British Ambassador at his Residence.
Wednesday 9 June
Lord Mayor had a working breakfast with Dr Nicholas Nanopoulos, CEO of Eurobank EFG.
He then met Finance Minister Dr George Papaconstantinou.
Later he met Mr Constantinos Michalos, President of Athens Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
Lord Mayor's visit
Between 5th and 9th June, the Lord Mayor of the City of London, Nick Anstee, in his role as ambassador for Britain’s financial and professional service industries, led a business delegation to Greece. The main purpose of the visit was to strengthen further the long-standing relationship between the two countries, particularly with regards to maritime finance, and to discuss what role British-based financial services can play in helping Greece achieve its stabilisation and growth objectives.
During his time in Greece, the Lord Mayor met a number of high-level political and business figures both in Athens and at Posidonia, the bi-annual Shipping Conference which coincided with the visit.
The Lord Mayor of the City of London, Nick Anstee, commented:
“Even during these challenging times, Greece remains an important business partner for the UK as a fellow member of the European Union, as a bilateral trading partner and as an obvious hub to South Eastern European markets.
“Many major UK businesses from a wide range of industries, including financial and professional services, are already well established in the Greek marketplace and last year UK exports to Greece totalled £2.6 billion
“The current crisis has presented Greece with an opportunity to increase its competitiveness and to become an even more attractive business environment for international investors through the reduction of the cost of business and through the opening up of previously closed professions and sectors.”
The Lord Mayor’s business delegation consisted of high level representatives from a number of leading City-based firms and organisations such as the Baltic Exchange, Maritime London and representatives from the UK legal services sector.
Talking about the importance of the links between the Greek Shipping Community and the City, the Lord Mayor added:
“As an island state with a proud seafaring heritage, it should come as little surprise that the UK is a world leader in maritime-related services.”
“Similarly, as the healthiest and most dynamic sector of the Greek economy with around 4,000 vessels and more than 16% of the world fleet carrying capacity, shipping will be crucial to economic recovery in Greece.
“With UK based law firms being partner of choice for many Greek ship-owners and with Lloyds register classing 28% of the Greek fleet, this trip will provide an opportunity to further strengthen these relationships and generating new business opportunities for both UK based and Greek firms.”
British Ambassador David Landsman said:
“The Lord Mayor’s visit is proof that the historically close shipping and commercial links between Britain and Greece remain important to the business communities of the two countries today. His full programme will also enable him to discuss new ways in which we can work together to meet today’s economic challenges.”
Lord Mayor's speeches while in Athens
