Conference in Thessaloniki Highlighted the Sustainable Development of Port Infrastructure, the Green Transition and Smart Connectivity in the Region

The international Forum called “Circular Ports for Global Trade: Green Infrastructure and Smart Connectivity” was opened in the town of Thessaloniki by the President of the Bulgarian-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BHCCI), Savvas Karafyllidis, at the end of last week.

The Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry was a partner of the event. BCCI President Tsvetan Simeonov addressed the participants – more than 150 representatives of companies, institutions, ports, public and non-governmental organisations from the sectors of forwarding, transport and logistics in Bulgaria and Greece. Mr Simeonov emphasised that the event takes place at the exact moment when the importance of the ports and their infrastructure is key to find the most suitable and cost-effective routes for international trade which is hampered by military and political conflicts.

The aim of the Forum was to share and discuss strategies for improving cooperation among the ports in the region of the Black Sea, Aegean Sea and the Danube River for the benefit of the trade of the EU, the countries from the Balkan region among themselves and with third countries.

Konstantinos Mouratidis, the First Vice President of the Thessaloniki Chamber of Commerce and Industry, stated that all interested parties, involved in the ports’ activity in the region, need to unite, exchange ideas, and they need the implementation of these ideas for the benefit of business and trade.

The event put an emphasis on the sustainable development of port infrastructure, the green transition and smart connectivity as key factors for the future of international trade and logistics.

The official guests included Christos Dimas, Minister of Infrastructure and Transport of Greece, Konstantinos Gyulekas, Deputy Minister of the Interior (Macedonia-Thrace region), Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, Prime Minister of Bulgaria (2001–2005), Traicho Traikov, Minister of Energy of Bulgaria, Yulian Popov, Minister of Environment and Waters of Bulgaria, Christodoulos Topsidis, Governor of the Region of Eastern Macedonia, Katerina Tsapikidou, representative of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as the Deputy Mayor of Thessaloniki.

The participants in the event included also representatives of: the Investment Council at BCCI, the Council of Sectoral Organisations at BCCI and members of the Chamber Management Board.

Many discussions at bilateral level were held among representatives of companies and institutions.