Second European Business Summit

The role of the SMEs in Greece’s and EU’s economic prospects

Alasdair Ross, countries editor, The World Ahead 2025, The Economist
Ioannis Chatzitheodosiou, president, Athens Chamber of Tradesmen

Alasdair Ross Countries editor

Ioannis Chatzitheodosiou Honorary Doctor, University of Piraeus, President

Takis Theodorikakos, minister of development, Government of Greece

Takis Theodorikakos Minister of development

This session will analyse Europe’s position following the US elections, amidst trade wars and geopolitical turmoil. The discussion will also focus on the role of SMEs in euro area’s growth in the light of green and digital transformations.

Matteo Renzi, former prime minister of Italy

Matteo Renzi Former prime minister

Stavros Papastavrou, minister of environment and energy, Government of Greece

Stavros Papastavrou Minister of environment and energy

This section focuses on the special importance of SMEs for Europe's growth potential, exploring the challenges and opportunities they face within an uncertain international environment.

Laurence Auer, ambassador of France to Greece
Michael Mainelli, president, London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, former lord mayor of the City of London, United Kingdom
Ioannis Chatzitheodosiou, president, Athens Chamber of Tradesmen
Massimo Dal Checco, vice-president, Chamber of Commerce of Milano Monza Brianza Lodi

Laurence Auer Ambassador of France to Greece

Michael Mainelli Former lord mayor of the City of London, United Kingdom, President

Ioannis Chatzitheodosiou Honorary Doctor, University of Piraeus, President

Massimo Dal Checco Vice-president

Thanasis Kontogeorgis, deputy minister to the Prime Minister of Greece

Thanasis Kontogeorgis Deputy minister to the prime minister of Greece

Manolis Christodoulakis, MP, head of the Environment Sector, PASOK-Movement for Change
Harris Mamoulakis, MP, SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance

Manolis Christodoulakis MP, head of the Environment Sector

Harris Mamoulakis Member, Hellenic Parliament, head of economy and development sector

Anna Karamanli, deputy minister of tourism, Government of Greece

Anna Karamanli Deputy minister of tourism

The leader of Greece’s main opposition party in conversation with Alasdair Ross.

Nikos Androulakis, president, PASOK-Movement for Change, leader of the main opposition, Greece

Nikos Androulakis Leader of the main opposition, Greece, President

Access to funding and financing tools are crucial for economic growth and the sustainable development of SMEs in the EU. This panel will focus on European and national programmes for SMEs.

Vasiliki Pantelopoulou, secretary-general of Partnership Agreement (ESPA), Ministry of National Economy and Finance, Government of Greece
Giorgos Kavathas, president, Hellenic Confederation of Professionals, Craftsmen & Merchants, president, Panhellenic Federation of Restaurant Enterprises (POESE)
Peter Sanfey, deputy director, country economics, EBRD
Pavlos Yeroulanos, member, Hellenic Parliament, head of economy and development sector, PASOK-Movement for Change

Vasiliki Pantelopoulou Secretary-general of Partnership Agreement (ESPA)

Giorgos Kavathas President, Hellenic Confederation of Professionals, Craftsmen & Merchants, President

Peter Sanfey Deputy director, country economics

Pavlos Yeroulanos Member, Hellenic Parliament, head of economy and development sector

SMEs are the backbone of the European economy. But small businesses need resources and reforms to improve their international competitiveness. This panel will focus on policy proposals that can unleash the potential of SMEs.

Dimitris Skalkos, secretary-general for international economic affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Greece
Martin Bijsterbosch, mission chief for Greece, European Central Bank
Giannis Maniatis, former minister, member of the European Parliament, vice-president of the European Socialists for international relations, defence, and energy security
Nikolas Farantouris, MEP, member of the BUDG committee, Jean Monnet professor, University of Piraeus, member of the board, The Spinelli Group
Ilja Nothnagel, general director, German-Hellenic Chamber of Industry and Commerce, former member of the executive board, Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce

Dimitris Skalkos Secretary-general for international economic affairs

Martin Bijsterbosch Deputy head of the Euro area external sector division

Ilja Nothnagel Former member of the executive board, Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce, General director

Socrates Famellos, president, SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance

Adonis Georgiadis, minister of health, Government of Greece

Adonis Georgiadis Minister of health

The panel examines the impact on business of innovative new technologies, such as artificial intelligence and the prospects for integrating them into business development.

Dimosthenis Anagnostopoulos, secretary-general for information systems and digital governance, Ministry of Digital Governance, Government of Greece, Member of EU AI board
Michalis Katrinis, member, Hellenic Parliament, PASOK-Movement for Change
Itai Green, founder and chief executive, Innovate Israel

Dimosthenis Anagnostopoulos Secretary-general for information systems and digital governance, Ministry of Digital Governance, Government of Greece, Member of EU AI board

Michalis Katrinis Member, Hellenic Parliament

Itai Green Founder and chief executive

Zoe Konstantopoulou, president, Plefsi Eleftherias

Zoe Konstantopoulou President

Stefanos Kasselakis, founder of Movement for Democracy

Stefanos Kasselakis Founder

The governments of Greek regions and municipalities can be critical in either enabling, or inhibiting, the success of local SMEs. What is the role of infrastructure within this relationship?

Vasileios Spanakis, deputy minister of the interior, Government of Greece
Dimitris Ptochos, regional governor of the Peloponnese
Christodoulos Topsidis, regional governor of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace

Christodoulos Topsidis Regional governor, Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, President