In a follow-up to his recent visit to China (26-30 November 2012), accompanying Deputy Foreign Minister Dimitris Kourkoulas, Secretary General for International Economic Relations and Development Cooperation Peter Mihalos met today with the Vice President of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), Wang Jinzhen, who is heading a delegation that includes the President of the China Shipbuilding Corporation, Hu Wenming, and the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China’s Alternate Director for Partnership Affairs, Lu Yibing.
The meeting, which was a follow-up to the Greek delegation’s meetings with CCPIT leadership in Beijing, reaffirmed the excellent climate in, and will to deepen, the commercial, economic and investment relations between the two countries, particularly in the sectors of tourism, banking, renewable energy sources, and agro-industry with a focus on olive oil.
In regard to tourism, note was made of the importance of direct air links between the two countries, while the Chinese side expressed the conviction that Greece will be firmly among the preferences of Chinese tourists visiting Europe, whose numbers are projected to increase significantly by 2015. In this context, Mr. Mihalos requested the lifting of restraints on the issuing of permits for tourist visa offices.
Mr. Mihalos committed to supporting the CCPIT initiatives toward fuller provision of information to the Chinese business world regarding the commercial and investment prospects offered by Greece.
Prior to this meeting, Mr. Mihalos participated in a Greek-Chinese Business Forum hosted by the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry, at which he promoted, in his welcome speech, the dynamic and excellent climate in Greek-Chinese bilateral relations, which was confirmed by the recent official visit to China for the 11th Greek-Chinese Joint Interministerial Committee.
December 12, 2012