A Greece-Australia Business Council titled Targets, Actions and Business Initiatives was launched on October 11 in Athens. Alternate Finance Minister Christos Staikouras, the Australian Ambassador to Athens Jenny Bloomfield and the Chairman of the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry Konstantinos Michalos addressed the event.

In his speech, Staikouras noted that some positive signs have emerged in the financial sector, which allow for more optimism and hope that there will be an end to the present recession. He also pointed to an increase in the country’s credibility observed lately, as well as to the satisfactory budget implementation, despite the country’s financial situation. Konstantinos Michalos welcomed the establishment of an institution aiming at strengthening economic relations between the two countries, already cooperating in a number of sectors. He praised Australia as an extrovert economy encouraging innovation, with a large, active Greek community.