International Trade in Greece

News Related to International Trade in Greece

Business outline for Greece

Main Industry Sectors

Traditionally, the Greek economy is based on agriculture. The sector represents 3% of the GDP and employs around 12% of the active population. The main crops are tobacco (largest European producer) and cotton (fifth largest exporter in the world). Greece also has a significant ovine livestock. A large fishing industry is found in coastal regions and the merchant navy represents 10% of the GDP.

Thanks to the economic diversification led by the country, industry has replaced agriculture as a second source of income, behind services, and accounts for around 20% of the GDP. The main sectors are: electronic goos, transport materials, clothing and construction. More specifically, Greece is the largest European shipowner.

Growth in the tertiary sector is booming. It accounts for nearly three-fourths of the GDP. Tourism provides a vital source of income and alone contributes 11% of the GDP. Marine fishing represents 10% of the GDP.

Economic Overview

Although the crisis hit Greece later than its European neighbors, it nevertheless plunged the country into a deep recession. Greece had to be saved from bankrupcy by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the European Commission (EC), however the budgetary restriction measures adopted to restore public finances have taken their toll on growth. The latter was estimated at -4% in 2010. The country recently announced that its deficit would be "very likely " higher than its forecast of 9.5% of GDP. This will have a worsening impact on the debt, currently estimated at 142.5% of GDP. For the foreign observers the Greek economy should not recover before 2012 and only if the country fully implement the restructuring program of its economy.

The government is making an effort to pursue the measures planned in the structural reforms program to which it is bound by the loans it has received from the IMF and the EC. The priority is to reduce the fiscal deficit by increasing taxation, privatizing public companies and reforming the healthcare system.

The country is facing growing unemployment (which is higher than 10%) and a proliferation of social protest movements against the austerity measures.

FDI in Figures

The available data on FDIs in Greece should be taken with caution because they do not reflect the real situation. Compared to other countries of the European Union, the level of FDIs is low, and given the difficulties the country is currently facing, this trend should continue.

The high level of corruption and lack of transparency are the two main obstacles to the growth of FDIs.

FDI Government Measures

The Legislative Decree number 2687 of 1953 as well as Article 112 of the Constitution, give approved foreign "productive investments" property rights, preferential tax treatment and work permits for foreign managerial and technical staff.

Country Strong Points

Greece's main strong points are:
- Its membership to the European Monetary Union (EMU). Today, Greece has become the economic hub of Southeast Europe;
- Its competitiveness within the active population in terms of education, manpower costs and work productivity;
- Its geographical location, which makes it a strategic link to the emerging markets of the Balkans, Black Sea, Eastern Europe and Eastern Mediterranean regions; and
- Its infrastructures, which are improving significantly, mainly due to the 3rd European Union community support framework.

Country Weak Points

The Greek economy has always been and continues to be subject, to intense governmental regulation. According to Transparency International the country also has to tackle high levels of corruption that affect many aspects of the economic and commercial life. In addition, growth has been financed by private sector loans and the public sector's absorption of EU structural adjustment funds, which has caused a large public deficit.

Foreign Trade Overview

Greece has an export-oriented economy, trade representing more than 50% of the GDP. The trade balance is negative and has worsened as an effect of the fall in exports caused by the recession. However, the Greek Minister of Finance recently stated that the figures for the first quarter of 2011 showed a significant recovery in exports.

Greece's main trading partners are the European Union (especially Italy and Germany) and the United States.