Federation of Hellenic Food Industries National Technological Platform ‘Food for Life’ Greece Vasso Papadimitriou Director General

The Hellenic Food and Drink Industry:  Is the major contributor to the Greek Economy. Ιn 2006 the food and drink turnover reached € 11 billion. It registered an impressive 20.6% growth rate over the past 10 years during which the rest of the industry experience an average growth 11.7%.  Is the largest manufacturing sector in Greece, representing the 26% of the total production value.  Is the leading employer in the manufacturing sector providing employment for the 24% of the total workforce.  Is a major exporter covering the 17.9% of the total export market. It is also worth noting that exports increased by 17.4% in  Is a fragmented industry dominated mostly by small and medium sized enterprises.

Is the official body representing the interests of the Hellenic Food and Drink Industries’ at National, European and International level. Members of the Federation are Branch Associations and individual food companies. The Members of SEVT represent today the 85% of the sector on the basis of total turnover. The Federation of Hellenic Food Industries (SEVT):

National Technological Platform In October 2006, we have announced our initiative to establish the National Technological Platform in the context of the European in co-operation with the Food Industrial Research and Technological Development Company (ETAT S.A.). What we have already done:  ETAT S.A. was established on the initiative of the General Secretariat for Research and Technology of the Hellenic Ministry of Development.  The aim of ETAT SA is to provide research, technological and consulting services to enterprises in the sector of Foods and Beverages.

National Technological Platform After the announcement of the initiative SEVT distributed the European Strategic Research Agenda to: ☞ the Food companies, ☞ the Academic community and ☞ the Research organizations We asked them to express their opinion to the document in order to elaborate the Greek Strategic Research Agenda. What we have already done:

In November 2006, a general session took place among the potential Stakeholders - experts of academic community, industry and research organizations - during which the whole Agenda was discussed. The meeting was organized by SEVT and ETAT S.A. A core team has been created in order to undertake preliminary activities: ☞ for the evaluation and implementation of the Stakeholders Strategic Research Agenda (SSRA), ☞ for the promotion of Greek SRA in extensive National level and, ☞ for the continuous motivation of Food & Drink Companies. In March 2007, the core team has finished the revision of the SSRA. National Technological Platform

In the beginning of this month (April 2007) we have submitted a letter of intent for the establishment of the National Technological Platform to our 3 National competent Ministries – Ministry of Development, Ministry of Rural Development and Food and Ministry of Health and Social Solidarity – aiming to their support. In the beginning of May 2007 we plan to open a web consultation for the Greek SRA. In the end of June 2007 we plan to launch our National Technological Platform. The next steps:

National Technological Platform How the platform will be funded? How the mirror group will be established? The issues:

Thank you