The 88th Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) opened its doors on Saturday in what is Greece’s biggest annual trade and business exhibition, with this year featuring more than 1,300 exhibitors, 25 international participants and a wide range of thematic events. Germany is is this year’s honored country.
This year’s TIF is marked by a significant German presence, showcasing the strength of economic ties between Greece and Germany.
Germany as the honored country
Germany, the honored country for the 88th TIF, boasts a notable participation with 130 companies across various sectors including industry, manufacturing, high technology, energy, logistics, finance, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and food technology. This makes it one of the largest honorary country participations in the fair’s history, occupying pavilion 13.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who inaugurated the German pavilion earlier today, emphasized that country’s role as a major foreign investor in Greece. Despite economic challenges, Germany has continued to invest in Greece, reflecting a robust economic relationship.
Mitsotakis noted that the “presence of more than 130 companies here, engaging with the public to share their stories and highlight the strong economic ties between Greece and Germany, is clear evidence that we’ve built a robust economic environment and a solid bilateral relationship”.
During his meeting with German Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck, the head of the German delegation, Mitsotakis received praise over Greece’s economic performance. Mitsotakis noted that the country had the second-highest growth rate in the EU in the second quarter of 2024 and reiterated his goal to further increase the disposable income of Greek citizens. The discussion between the two also covered European and bilateral issues of interest, with a focus on the economy, energy, and migration.
Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis also praised the relationship with Berlin, stating, “Our cooperation with Germany is excellent. My discussions with Vice-Chancellor Habeck reaffirmed our strong bilateral relations on key issues such as energy, the economy, trade, and tourism. There is significant potential to further strengthen our ties.”
The German Pavilion: Showcasing Innovation and Sustainability
The German pavilion, covering 6,000 square meters, is designed under the theme ‘Made in Germany’ with the slogan “Hallo Ελλάδα.” It features a World Expo-level display, showcasing leading German companies in an environmentally friendly and sustainable setting. The pavilion will host a series of events including educational days, networking meetings, and corporate presentations.
The German participation at TIF is organized under the oversight of the German Ministry for Economic Affairs & Climate Action, with the pavilion’s construction and preparation managed by Leipzig Messe International.
Prime Minister Mitsotakis is scheduled to deliver his annual state-of-the-economy address and outline policy priorities today at 7:30 PM at the TIF.
