Thanks to the honorable invitation by the Greek Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Fragogiannis, and the Secretary General for International Economic Relations, President of "Enterprise Greece", Mrs. Myrogianni, I feel honoured to be here today as businessman and as president of PCCI, among all of you the honorable representatives of the Turkish government, prestigious members of the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK) and of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), as well as many colleagues and leaders from distinguished companies from Turkey and Greece.
As president of PCCI I would like to mention that Piraeus area in terms of business is one of the leading "players" in the trade of the south-eastern Mediterranean, with its port playing a significant role in EU trade, shaping the flow of goods from Asia and vice versa. According to the recent data of ISCDI report, Piraeus was ranked 8th, in 2023, among the top ten port cities since is the place that beats the heart of the strongest shipping. The shipping of the Greeks which, as a world leader in the sector, is at the forefront of initiatives in order to adopt sustainable policies for the benefit of sustainable development, the protection of the planet and the proper functioning of the global ecosystem. Our shipping, at the same time, is a reliable guarantor for world trade, 90% of which is carried by sea and also of the European Union, since the 52% of EU fleet is controlled by the Greeks ranks first as well as in the ranking of global maritime forces, with 21% playing an important role for the international import and export trade. Today, Piraeus, has emerged as one of the top 4 European shipping centers and has been evolving into a shipping innovation hub, bringing together an ever-increasing number of shipping startups. It is a meeting point for the global players of "maritime wealth", as the seat of the largest shipping company in the world. Piraeus shipping companies also pioneered in the "restarting" of the country's shipbuilding industry, which has resulted in the repositioning of Greece in the international market competitively, through its shipyards and, indeed, at a time-critical juncture where Asian units do not have potential, due to the volume of orders for new building vessels.
Greek ports have always been open to short sea activities, both in the tourist and in the business fields. The development of synergies with Turkish ports are a field worth exploring, through the cooperation that can be developed among the representatives of the Mediterranean Port Chambers participating in ASCAME. PCCI chairs the Commissions of Transport & Logistics" and "Trade" and we cooperate by supporting each other with 17 Turkish Chambers. We all together promote a policy of developing synergies at all levels, between domestic and foreign companies, with innovative products and services. This can also be achieved through the cooperation of Greek and Turkish companies since we don't have to make a new start or a restart but a level up. Perhaps, the field of the blue economy will provide opportunities for joint business actions related to the maritime economy. As Sea Nations we know that we must have calm seas and safe ports in order to add value to our economies. Sea, unites people and countries.
In this context and in the framework of another fruitful forum like this, hopefully, we can welcome you all to Greece and allow me to place an open and join invitation from the hospitable Athens and Piraeus Chambers of Commerce and Industry. We are neighbours and this cannot be changed, but what can be changed and improved is our relationship, our trust and cooperation in order to establish a long lasting friendship. I am pleased with the turnout of this Business Forum which is the first in the new era between our countries for a better future of the new generations, that must live peacefully and cooperate commercially. We all know that disputes and conflicts in business cost time and money So let's do what we know best. Let's do business as usual.
