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Thessaloniki and Northern Greece in International Markets
Thessaloniki and Northern Greece have had to face numerous and varied
challenges throughout their history and economic development.
Still, on every occasion, our city and its region have managed to
fulfill their role and deal with every rising situation, using their own
forces. Today, at this time of globalised economy, the challenge we have
to face is how to shape a specific role for Thessaloniki so as to
successfully place it on the map of international markets.
In this context, the globalization of economies, the tough competition
among countries and regions, the retrogression of the local economic
system in terms of international competitiveness, the lower growth rate
of Northern Greece in relation to the capital, as well as the recent
grand-scale enlargement of the European Union are all challenges that
may arouse a sense of insecurity in most of us. This leads to major
issues and questions that require study, dialogue and search for
answers.
Naturally, the whole internationalization of economies is tougher than
ever before, since the globalization “game” is widely open and, at
times, its terms are not clear enough. This was exactly what troubled us
and led us to select the specific theme for this year’s 11th
Thessaloniki Forum. We believe that the Forum promoted the agenda for
highlighting the position and role of Thessaloniki and Northern Greece
in international markets.
In our view, some of the issues of this agenda that define the present
situation and will continue to shape the future are the following:
- what is the position of Thessaloniki in the international environment?
- what is the position of Northern Greece in international markets?
- what are the new challenges?
- in what manner and through which policies can the region face these
new challenges?
- what are the priorities so as to enhance the presence of Thessaloniki
and Northern Greece in international markets?
- what are the criteria and overall targeting through which best
policies are to be selected in order to internationalise the local
economic system?
- what is the expected socioeconomic impact of any decisions to be
taken?
- how and through what process and, perhaps, mechanisms are decisions
for the future of the region to be supported?
Exchanges during the 11th Thessaloniki Forum have generally shaped an
agenda concerning the position and role of Thessaloniki and Northern
Greece in international markets. In the context of the Forum, we aspired
and managed to record international experiences, to develop proposals
through the use of best practices from Greece and abroad and, finally,
to make the best choices with a view to reinforcing the growth of our
region.
I know that issues raised at a meeting such as the 11th Thessaloniki
Forum are numerous and cannot possibly be answered within its limited
duration. However, I am certain that the excellent speakers at the
conference have managed to share their views and experiences on the
issue; after all, our final goal is to enhance the extroversion of local
economy and to initiate a developmental course for the years to come. In
my view, economic extroversion should be both a choice and an economic
attitude, as of today, for all of us.
Introverted growth is a thing of the past. Everyone should look
outwards, because anyone aiming at simply being active in the domestic
market and only maintaining their prerogatives has no chance of finding
any fertile ground; any such efforts will be futile and whatever growth
there might be will have an expiration date.
Previous President's Messages
A New Year showcasing GREEK VALUE
A new year, with changes in the state and society
Change of Prime Minister accompanied by new expectations about a way out of the financial crisis
Zero profits for processing industries in Northern Greece in 2010, with one in three businesses reporting losses
Only daring decisions will take the country out of this impasse
The Federation’s Proposals for development
The need to take measures to immediately bolster the economy and improve business competitiveness
A new year – new expectations for growth and development
Developmental measures to offset unemployment benefits with job subsidies
Enhancing "Greek Value" by resolving problems that drag on
Greece’s rise in the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook ranking is encouraging news amidst the crisis
The Federation of Industries of Northern Greece making a decisive contribution to manufacturing strategy up to 2020
The government's immediate priorities in 2010 to develop the infrastructure in Thessaloniki and boost the competitiveness of manufacturing enterprises
Expectations from the new government: the manufacturing sector should be the new government’s focus
Industry should be among the Government’s policy priorities
Industry centre stage again
Proposals for avoiding the financial crisis
Bold decision-making for avoiding the financial crisis
Prospects for growth in Northern Greece in an environment of international crisis
Investment Law and Northern Greece
The market of izmir: the next goal for outward-looking enterprises of
northern greece
The
new government’s aspirations for thessaloniki and northern greece:
fing’s proposals for development
Thessaloniki and Northern Greece in International Markets
Regional
development policy as an engine for local industrial development
Global
orientation, productivity and realistic management of the National
Strategic Development Plan (NSDP). The challenges for 2007
Investment Law and Northern Greece
The new
legislative framework for research and technology in Greece: a
government nod of approval for the proposals made by the Federation of
Industries of Northern Greece (FING)
Thessaloniki has the potential to become the second pole of development
for Greece and the headquarters for development organizations nationwide
Changing
attitudes to combat unemployment – Proposals for creating closer links
between education and production
Support
for the Regions: From now on, policy actions and not just policy
announcements
The
business community – a force for social cohesion in Northern Greece
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