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FORUMBilateral Trade RelationsHow important is the energy sector in Greece and SoutheastEurope for U.S. businesspeople and investors?It seems that in the 21st century energy matters will be ofutmost importance in the Southeast European region. Theenlargement of EU and its great demands for energy willgrow considerably in the near future. This will mean thatSoutheast Europe will play a major role as the area throughwhich energy networks will pass. It is well known that in theenergy sector U.S. interests are enormous and the companiesthat represent them will continue playing a dominant role inthe future. Greece has an historic opportunity to becomepart of the energy network system of the EU,especially as it is a country with stable economicand political climate.What do foreign companies expect and demandbefore investing in Greece?What foreign businesspeople seek are a morecompetitive system, the elimination of bureaucracy,and most important, clear rules foreveryone that will stand for a long period oftime. It is true that infrastructure in Greeceis much better than it was three years ago,and that there have been some incentives forgrowth, especially in the industrial sectors.But Greece, at least for foreign companies, isstill a developing economy, although one thathas the advantage of being in the Eurozoneand therefore offers monetary stability.What events does the Chamber organize tostimulate U.S.-Greek trade and commercial relations?The Chamber has been organizing some ofthe most influential conferences in Greecefor years. For instance, pivotal private andpublic sector representatives analyze topicsof major economic importance at the "Hourof the Greek Economy," held every December.In 2003 energy will be yet again a majorAn interview with Alexandros Lamnidis,Executive Director of the American-HellenicChamber Of Commerce.topic for debate, at which experts from the United States willparticipate. In other fields the Chamber organizes conferenceson health matters, and oversees the U.S. Pavilions atthe Thessaloniki Trade Fair, at the Defendory InternationalExhibition, and the Posidonia Exhibition. Finally, every yearthe Chamber organizes the Comdex Greece high technologyexhibition and several ad hoc events.American-HellenicChamber of CommerceThe American-Hellenic Chamber ofCommerce is one of the largestand most active American chambersin Europe. It sponsors someof the leading conferences, exhibitions,fora and investment eventsin Greece. The Chamber organizesand sponsors the Hour of theGreek Economy conference thatannually examines the course ofthe Greek economy, and COMDEXGreece, Southeast Europe's leadingIT event.Virtually all American companiesthat do business in Greece aremembers of the Chamber as aremost Greek companies thatengage in trade with the UnitedStates. The American-HellenicChamber of Commerce is a notfor-profitorganization that is amember of the U.S. Chamber ofCommerce in Washington D.C., andthe European Council of AmericanChambers of Commerce.Some Greek companies are making a presence in the U,S. market.How do you evaluate this progress?The presence of Greek companies in the USA is by nature amajor achievement that has not been coveredadequately by our media. Severalcompanies have interests there in differentfields of activity. Lavipharm has an R&Dfacility in New Jersey and recently acquireda new company in the U.S. TitanCement owns production plants in the U.S.and it is also doing excellently. TechnicalOlympic Group develops residential sitesand currently has construction interests in8 U.S. states. Many other companies havea strong presence as well. Also, let us notforget that National Bank of Greece andOTE are both quoted on the New YorkStock Exchange, providing these companiesa major advantage in United States.Do you view the Olympic Games of 2004 asa major factor for economic activity?Certainly. But for us the most importanttheme is not whether we will organize theGames successfully but what will happenthe day after the Games. What is of concernis what will happen after the Gamesand after 2006, when the funding fromthe European Union will end. We want tofocus on the example of Barcelona, a citythat transformed itself after the OlympicGames were held there.SPRING 2003 AEGEAN NEWS 29