The 85th Thessaloniki International Fair, Greece’s biggest annual trade exhibition, which happened to be the first European “live” exhibition in 2021, takes place from the 11th until the 19th of September 2021. The headline message of this year’s exhibition, “Past-Present-Future”, reflects the spirit of the 200th anniversary of the 1821 Greek Revolution against the Ottomans.
Among the key topics of this year’s Thessaloniki exhibition are the pursuit of redefining the true needs of contemporary Greek society, the stimulation of historical memories, as well acquaintance with new digital services and innovative technologies, but also learning more about the market potential of goods produced locally in Greece.
Heraklion Port Authority was represented in this year’s exhibition by its Chairman Mr. Ioannis Vardavas and its Managing Director Mr. Minas Papadakis.
The two Heraklion Port Authority (HPO) Board Members had the opportunity to present the development prospects of Heraklion Port, in a series of discussions conducted with the Greek Prime Minister Mr. Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and the Ministers of Shipping and Island Policy Mr. Ioannis Plakiotakis, Tourism Mr. Vassilis Kikilias, Social Security Mr. Kostis Hatzidakis, Infrastructure and Transportation Mr. Costas Karamanlis, Environment and Energy Mr. Costas Skrekas.
Mr. Vardavas and Mr. Papadakis discussed with other government representatives, official guests, exhibitors and visitors the HPO current business year and all efforts in place, that will support the Port’s transition into the "blue economy".
Our two Board Members had very interesting discussions with representatives of shipping companies, companies active in Energy sector, Transportation companies, as well as with the Board of Directors and Top Management of Thessaloniki Port Authority in its Headquarters (this meeting was attended by the Chairman of TPA Mr. Athanasios Liagos, the CEO Mr. Franco Nicola Cupolo, the General Manager Artur Davidian as well as the Director of Maintenance and Equipment Mr. Schwarz.
It is worth mentioning that on September 10th, Mr. Vardavas and Mr. Papadakis attended the Board of Directors meeting of the Union of Greek Ports (ELIME), that was also attended by the Minister of Shipping and Island Policy Mr. Ioannis Plakiotakis.
The Board of HPO S.A,. with its presence and the important meetings during the 85th TIF, underlined the key role of the Port of Heraklion, the shipping capital of Crete, in the future economic development of Greece in the wider Eastern Mediterranean basin.
