The Prime Minister Mr. Samaras accompanied by the Greek government officials visited PCT and participated in the launching ceremony of the HP project
From left to right: The Chinese ambassador to Greece-Mr. Du Qiwen, The Prime Minister of Greece-Mr. Samaras, The USA ambassador to Greece-Mr. Daniel Bennet Smith addressed at the PCT’s meeting room
From left to right- The representatives from different parties: Mr. Pythagoras Papadimitriou-HP Hellas Managing Director，Mr.Tony Prophet - HP Executive Vice President, Mr. Fu Chengqiu- Managing Director of PCT, Mr. Eddie Liu- CFO of CPL participated the ceremony
On-site
The new logistics distribution center of HP in EMEA region is officially settled in Piraeus Container Terminal. The launching ceremony of the project jointly cooperated by HP, PCT and Trainose was held at PCT terminal on Mar. 1, 2013. Over 60 people attended the ceremony who are the Greek Prime Minister Mr.Samaras the Minister of Development, the Minister of Shipping, the Minister of Labour Affairs, the deputy Minister of Finance and Secretary-Generals of other sections, the Chinese Ambassador Mr. Du Qiwen, the USA Ambassador Mr. Daniel Bennett Smith with his spouse, members of the Greek Parliament, the local Mayors, HP delegation and the CFO of CPL Mr. Eddie Liu.
The launching ceremony was chaired by Capt.Fu Chengqiu, the Managing Director of PCT. In his speech, he said that upon the full support from the Greek Government on HP-PCT project he believes the consistent cooperation will further enhance the connection between the Greek railway system and the biggest port Piraeus in Med.-east & Europe-southeast region. HP project certainly brings win-win situation to HP, COSCO and Greece. This project stands at a threshold of historic change and opportunity.
PM Mr.Samaras, the Chinese Ambassador Mr. Du Qiwen and the USA Ambassador delivered speeches with the affirmation and expectation on the profound significance of this cooperation for the future. Mr. Samaras, in his televised address, said the Piraeus port is a gateway; an engine to drive the development of Greece, this project will bring more opportunities on commercial development and employment and is a very important role in reversing the Greek economic situation.
The Chinese Ambassador Mr. Du Qiwen said that through these 2 years the excellent results achieved by PCT fully proved the success of the COSCO business philosophy “harmony and win-win”. According to the principle “mutually beneficial and win-win result”, the Chinese government encourages more Chinese enterprises to invest in Greece in order to enhance cooperation and transaction between the 2 countries.
The USA Ambassador to Greece said that we are here to recognize your assistance as a distribution centre for Central Europe North Africa, Middle East and the Mediterranean. For the past two centuries the USA has strong political and commercial tights with Greece. With the decision to make Piraeus the key logistic base in the Eastern Mediterranean HP strengthens the relationship. The decision also underscores that the international companies also recognize Greece’s potentials. As HP officials have told me, they saw the opportunities and took the advantage of Piraeus new infrastructures and plans. I believe that HP’s investment will help Greece with economic recovery and will affect other companies investing in Greece.
Tri-cooperation enterprises separately delivered the presentations regarding the reason and respective advantages of the mutual cooperation on the project of establishing the new logistics distribution center. They all expressed the full confidence and expectation on the future win-win cooperation.
PM Samaras and other distinguished guests accompanied by the Managing Director Capt. Fu visited the pier 2 and the under-construction pier 3 of PCT. Afterwards they went to the PCT VIP lounge and overlooked the panoramic view of the entire port. The Greek state television channel immediately broadcasted the news after the departure of PM Mr. Samaras.
The COSCO logistics company gained the general contractor qualifications of HP in 2010. It was the first time that COSCO proposed to break the traditional cargo distribution method of HP in central-east Europe region and change to via Piraeus port in order to fully play COSCO’s synergies and provide more high-quality and convenient services.
Directed by the COSCO Group, COSCO Logistics cooperated with COSCO Agency, Greece, COSCON Italy and PCT rapidly determined 2 transportation path drafts and actively negotiated with HP. During the course of deliberations, HP showed great interest in the intensive feeder services and the warehouse of PCT located in I-type free trade zone and put forward that let COSCO be responsible for the cargo distribution business in the entire EMEA region. PCT led to communicate with the Greek Government to formulate the new tax treatment process by the reference of Rotterdam and Antwerp. On Nov.14,2012, the 3 parties-PCT,COSCO Agency and HP together called on the PM Mr. Samaras and reached a preliminary agreement on building a logistics center at PCT. In a subsequent televised speech Mr. Samaras said that the project contributes to the increase in the trade volume of Piraeus and accomplish the sound development of railway transportation and terminal industries. This is the first in Greece, the government will formulate a more rational tax process for this project.
Under the attention of PM, the parties promptly got into action and achieved fruitful results:
On Feb.28, 2013, due to the cooperation and promotion of the different parties, the Greek Minister of Development took a train till PCT. The Minister of Shipping accompanied by Capt.Fu Chengqiu received him at the railway station of PCT. The Minister of Development announced the official opening of the railway station at PCT. Meanwhile, the Greek Parliament also adopted the relevant convenient VAT tax process similar as Rotterdam and Antwerp ports on Feb.28,2013.
Contributed by various favourable factors, the project is launched on Mar.1, 2013 as per the schedule.
