The 2nd two-day Arab-Greek Economic Forum opened on Wednesday at the Hilton Athens Hotel in Athens, Greece to review the current state and future prospects for economic and commercial relations between Greece and the UAE as well as with the rest of the Arab world. UAE Ministry of Foreign Trade Director General Abdullah Al Saleh joined in vibrant discussions in the 2nd session of the first day titled “Current Reality and Future Horizons for the Economic and Commercial Relations between Greece and the Arab world.” He joined a prominent group of diverse panel members representing decision makers, corporate executives and special interest groups. Representatives from the UAE Chambers of Commerce & Industry and the Emirates' private sector as well as a trade delegation from UAE companies also attended the Forum. Organized by the Arab-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce and Development, the first edition of the forum gathered 64 speakers from various governmental, financial and entrepreneurial bodies to discuss 12 thematic units ranging from Arab-Hellenic relations to the role of Greece as a gateway to the Balkans and Europe. “Greece has maintained long and productive relations with the Arab world. Its trade with Arab countries during the past years has increased rapidly, in some cases approaching as much as 50 per cent. Greek exports to our region have exceeded the value of its exports to major economies, proving that this country values its commercial relations with its Arab partners. We in turn should closely evaluate what Greece offers us in terms of trade and plan on how to accelerate our relations in this field. The UAE in particular remains highly committed to sustaining its positive ties with Greece,” said Al Saleh. Greek governments have traditionally adopted a policy of friendship with Arab states and have maintained favorable economic and historic ties with the Middle East. Greece established diplomatic relations with the UAE in 1971 and opened an embassy in Abu Dhabi in 1989. The UAE is represented in turn in Greece by an embassy based in Athens. The Greek government included the emirates as one of its top five priority business partners towards 2011 in 2006. Imports between the two countries reached $118 million in 2007, while exports hit $15 million. Their total trade exchange including re-exports was valued at $155 million for the same year. The UAE received Greek delegates last May 2008 to discuss enhanced tourism investments and the exchange of technical expertise to capitalize on their shared status as one of the top 20 tourist destinations in the world. Just recently, both countries explored expanded cooperation in the field of education within the framework of existing agreements and cultural exchange programs. More than 1,000 Greeks live and work in the UAE, a majority of whom are executives and businessmen based in Dubai. __
