But the pace is quickening. In the past two years investments worth almost a billion dollars have been made and by the end of the century, Greek interests in such projects could be worth double that amount. Greeks are not alone in seeking to capitalise on these new markets. Companies from all over the world are actively pursuing them. But they find local business practices confusing and have concentrated their attention on the more westernised Visegrad countries.
Greek businessmen understand the local mentality.
Until recently, they too lived under a regime of high inflation, weak currency and are used to dealing with arbitrary bureaucracy. They are much at home in these countries. They understand the contradictions, the problems with customs, the tax problems, the delays. And it is this better understanding of the new markets that the Greek businessmen can share with their European and other international partners. Europartenariat can create new synergies that will benefit all sides involved.