A local experience that goes global 
Synergassia Programme

Invest in Greece Agency proactively participates in the development of the country, particularly in regional development, and for this reason cooperates closely with relevant government bodies, opening the doors to Greece for new investment. The Agency works with bilateral business associations, multilateral agencies, stakeholder groups and implements outreach activities to select business sectors and communities in target countries.

In the context of its stakeholder development plan, Invest in Greece Agency established the Synergassia programme.  Synergassia is a Greek word that means collaboration. Synergassia is a collaboration between Invest in Greece and Commercial and Economic Counsellors of Foreign Embassies in Greece to promote regional Greece directly to international investors, using this highly targeted approach.

Important issues facing investors when choosing an investment location include the credibility of the country’s economy, the regional economy of the investment location, the tax system, employability of skilled and unskilled labour, location in relation to advanced infrastructure, and the friendliness of the local population. The Synergassia programme enables global business issues such as these to be addressed locally.

How it Works
The Synergassia programme provides a hands-on business opportunity to the economic and commercial missions in Greece by:
• showcasing Greek regional investment opportunities
• hosting face-to-face meetings and exchanges with businesses, regional governments, and local communities
• facilitating the flow of market and business intelligence from regional Greece directly to foreign missions, ensuring effective and expedient communication to their interested investors “back home”

The Synergassia programme organises approximately four missions per year to regions in Greece. In addition, economic and commercial diplomats are updated regularly on current developments in the regions and, in the process, are ensured direct contact with local players on all levels, in both the private and public sectors.

Highlights of the Synergassia Missions
During a Synergassia mission, in cooperation with regional authorities, Invest in Greece Agency organises workshops and meetings, presenting the macroeconomic and investment profile of the region, along with its comparative advantages, to foreign diplomats---enabling them to relay this information to their business communities and government bodies.

B2Bs with local companies are an integral part of each Synergassia mission. Regional Greek companies link up with foreign diplomats in an effort to build on common synergies. The B2Bs are particularly important if the company is small to medium in size. B2B meetings are country-specific since what applies to one country may not necessarily apply to other countries.

In order to highlight successful business stories, site visits are conducted to regional manufacturing sites and service firms. Visiting diplomats are able to assess technological development, know-how, structure and standards of these companies to report to the home Ministry.

International stakeholders need to know more about the business potential of the Greek regions --- and Invest in Greece takes them there.

Missions and Events

Please follow the links in order to find more information regarding the missions to date to the Regions of Greece:

• Region of Western Greece, 25-28 January 2012
• Region of Crete, 15 -19 June 2011
• Region of Peloponnese, 16-20 March 2011
• Region of Sterea Ellada (Central Greece) 30 June - 3 July, 2010
• Region of Central Macedonia, April 28, 2009
• Region of Western Macedonia, March 11 – 14, 2009
• Region of Epirus, December 16, 2008
• Region of Northern Aegean, November 5-8, 2008