Athens, 14 January 2024 (MIA) – Strengthening trade, investment and economic relations between Greece and North Macedonia was in the focus of Thursday's visit to the the Thessaloniki Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI) by a delegation of 30 businesspeople from the neighboring country,  led by the head of the Economic Chamber of North Macedonia, the TCCI said, MIA's Athens correspondent reports. 

The business forum took place in Thessaloniki on Thursday, and according to the TCCI, the delegations from the two countries held B2B (business-to-business) meetings discussing ways to develop new cooperation. In addition, the business delegation visited the Port of Thessaloniki, "which is North Macedonia's main port for export and import".  

Ahead of the meetings, an open event was held on prospects for strengthening economic cooperation between the two countries.

First Vice-President of TCCI Emmanuel Vlachogiannis pointed out that businesses around the world face a complex economic environment characterized by volatility and uncertainty, created by demographic imbalance, the climate crisis and technological challenges. Head of the Economic Chamber of North Macedonia Antoni Peshev, on his part, said that Greece is particularly important for the economy of the neighboring country, which mainly exports through the Port of Thessaloniki.

"The economy will iron out the differences between the two countries," Peshev added, stressing that Greece is among the five most important trading partners of North Macedonia, the TCCI said.  

The meeting in Thessaloniki was the first such meeting in recent years. 

The companies from North Macedonia included business officials from several fields, including trade, the industrial sector, hospitality, the energy sector, construction and the IT sector.

Photo: Thessaloniki Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI)