Opportunities in the Greek marketplace

Opportunities in the Greek marketplace


In the Greek marketplace, there are countless (big and small) business opportunities to enter.

Here are some interesting investment opportunities and business ideas for starting a business in this country:
Investing in the Greek Tourism Sector is a prime opportunity.
Greece is among the top 20 destinations for tourists globally, so its tourism sector is vibrant! With more than 6,000 islands and islets, and 16,000 kilometers of coastline, this sector remains the most promising in Greece. Apart from big investments that can be made (such as buying or building a hotel), there are some unique ideas that can be fulfilled without such huge capital investments, such as: purchasing a Cruise Boat and pay professionals to operate it, building a Beach Front Bar and Restaurant that targets tourists and locals, serving both international and local cuisine, etc.
Food and agricultural sector
Agriculture contributes 4% of the national GDP, almost double the European average.  Agricultural and food production is a major export sector in Greece, with Greek vegetables and fruits (such as tomatoes, oranges, kiwis, etc.) being on rising demand, consumed in several international markets.
Why invest in this sector?

  • Greece’s climate and geography sustain traditional high quality raw materials such as truffles and saffron that are sought after by the greatest Chefs.
  • Greek cuisine is a “representative” of Mediterranean diet, one of the healthiest and most nutritional ones in the world
  • Manufacturers and processors are assisted by the Institute of Agriculture in developing innovative solutions to meet marketplace needs.

By investing in this sector, US businesses may provide know-how and capital access to Greek producers in order to maximize their competitiveness in the worldwide markets.
Marine Services and Shipping
These sectors are not so affected by the overall Greek economic situation. Greece owns the largest merchant marine fleet globally while its strategic location and long coastline provide excellent opportunities for shipping and trade. There are needs to be filled such as safety and navigation equipment, anti-piracy solutions, software applications, insurance services, etc. A  great opportunity for US companies looking for an entry into the Greek shipping market is the US pavilion at the annual international trade show Posidonia (held in Athens).
Logistics
There are numerous opportunities in the Greek logistics sector such as investments in regional airports, in logistics centers, in Greek ports, etc. First of all, the country stands at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa connecting goods, people, and cultures. Greek ship owners control the largest merchant fleet worldwide, and there is a competitive sea freight cost for transported containers.
In addition, Greek ports are strategically located, so regional logistics hubs can be easily developed. There is also a good transport Infrastructure, and some years ago OLP SA was acquired by COSCO. Finally, there are significant global logistics providers such as DHL, Schenker,Kuhne& Nageletc, and a portfolio of a wide range of privatization of infrastructure projects.
Energy
Greece is uniquely positioned at the crossroads between East and West.There is availability in renewable energy potential such as solar, hydro, wind, biomass and geothermal; combined with the large-scale infrastructure projects (Gas Pipelines, TAP-IGB-EastMed, oil explorationetc) it makes the country a key player in the formulation of the EU energy mix, providing significant investment opportunities in all forms of energy!
Information and Communication Technology
A quite promising sector is the Greek Information and Communication Industry. In recent years, many start-up companies have been launching innovative business concepts and ideas by creating new products, services and applications which has led to the formulation of an emerged industry. On the other hand, some of the largest worldwide companies such as Oracle and Nokia-Siemens have announced important investment initiatives relating to Greece. Furthermore, Greek engineers have topped the ITU/ICT development index, and concerning new technologies Greeks are very adaptive! There are many options to enter the Greek ICT market such as Data centers, Start-up communities, Software Product Development Assembly of ICT devices, etc.
Establish a Pharmaceutical Company
Pharmaceutical Sector in Greece is one of the most thriving industries! Before opening a pharmaceutical manufacturing company, a US business should be a retailer or wholesaler of pharmaceutical products. Having the know-how to invest in combination with hard work, one can easily expand and become a manufacturer.
Beauty and Personal Care
Big US companies such as Procter & Gamble and Estée Lauder have strong presence in Greece where the majority of overseas beauty products come. In addition, comparing to previous years, Greek consumers prefer buying their beauty products online, which creates an opening for new market entrants!
Investing in Marble Production
Marble mining production in Greece can be a profitable choice. A factory can be easily established without acquiring any license to operate. There is a need to create a partnership with a professional real estate contractor so that a US company can be their marble supplier.
There are Small Business Investment opportunities  in the Greek marketplace, as well, that can provide US business with challenges and opportunities arising from the new competitive economic environment; and some of them may be the opportunity of a lifetime!