This
project occurred at a time when Greece was interested in
increasing development co-operation
OUR
SERVICES
NAVIGATOR
launched an extensive range of services grouped around four
main areas:
Public
Relations & Information Campaigns
It
was necessary to raise the profile of the ACP region in
Greece. NAVIGATOR undertook a series of corporate and institutional
briefings, the development of articles in press, speeches
at conferences, etc.
Dissemination
of Information & Trade Fair Attendance
Due
to the need for personal contacts as a success factor, NAVIGATOR
visited numerous trade fairs for specific sectors (minerals
& construction materials, foodstuffs, etc) to meet companies
in the sector and disseminate information on CDI and the
ACP region.
Follow-up
to CDI Requests & Initiatives
NAVIGATOR
responded to specific requests on behalf of CDI, including
identification of joint venture and distribution partners;
identification of trade fair participants; sourcing of technical
assistance; sector identification and descriptions; development
of itineraries and visits for CDI officials visiting Greece.
Development
of Joint Projects
We
were able to get some 11 companies interested in a specific
co-operation, which involved filling out co-operation applications,
following-up the different stages of development as required.
CHALLENGES
We
faced significant challenges in implementing this project:
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The
main strategic emphasis of Greek companies was
(and remains) expansion into bordering countries
of the Balkans, Central & Eastern Europe and
the former Soviet Union. In contrast, investments
and commercial exchanges in African are perceived
to be of high risk due to prevailing political
insecurity and corruption. |
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A
major barrier to technical co-operation was the
lack of available expertise in Greece. Such experts
are in high demand in Greece, particularly as
national companies are carrying out a high rate
of inward investments supported by the European
Commission's Structural Funds, Regional Programmes,
etc. Corporate management is not willing to divert
skilled workers to ACP beneficiaries in which
it does not have a direct interest. |
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The
institutional sector in Greece is highly fragmented,
with the result that initiatives towards ACP co-operation
were not co-ordinated between ministries, and
potential synergies are not developed. Furthermore,
the heavy public sector orientation of Government
programmes often ignores the potential of the
private sector. |
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The
distance between CDI and Greece, and the method
of operations of the Centre, occasionally required
extensive personal communications and liaison
to render a result. |
RESULTS
Despite
these challenges, we had the following achievements:
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A
total of 11 companies expressed interest in providing
technical assistance or exploring commercial opportunities
in the ACP region. These included Greece's largest
tobacco growing company; Greece's largest baby food
producer; a major fruit juice concentrates producer,
and others. |
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Of the 11 expressions
of interest, one project moved to completion, and
involved the development of a distribution agreement
for Caribbean swimwear products in Greece. |
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A total of 7 major
trade fairs were visited / attended, resulting in
over 100 corporate visits and briefings. In addition,
briefings and interviews with major sectoral publications
such as Food & Drink Magazine and Industrial
Review were implemented. |
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Some 5 short sectoral
surveys were implemented, furthering CDI's knowledge
of specific business conditions and opportunities
in Greece. |
