The immediate promotion of Greek agricultural products in China's internal market alongside the "green light" for others, was discussed by Minister of Rural Development and Food Makis Voridis with the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Athens, Zhang Q., which he accepted on Monday 5 August.

The crocus deal will be signed in September, opening the gates of the huge market to the "golden spice". At the same time, procedures for signing technical agreements to accelerate exports to China of agricultural products such as table grapes, citrus fruits and kernels (peaches, apricots and cherries) are being accelerated. In addition, Ms Qiyue also accepted, in essence, the issue of revising the kiwi protocol, which means that it will be possible to export them from all parts of the country and not some, as is the case today.

The Chinese ambassador has made it clear that Greece, as a brand name, has a rising recognition in the Chinese market, stressing once again the importance of integrating our country into the "17 + 1" China-Central and Eastern European Cooperation.

Mr Voridis also referred to the issue of plant health protocols required by the Chinese side to introduce plant material and mainly fruit and medicinal plants, while emphasizing the possibility of exchanging know-how on plant health and customs procedures to facilitate trade. This should start in 2020, in the context of the International Year of Plant Health and in conjunction with the "17 + 1" cooperation.

The discussion focused on the acquisition by Greece of a commercial position at Ningbo Port, which is a new commercial zone and is the largest for bulk cargo ships. It is noted that this particular port, located on the East China Sea coast, is the crossroads of inland and north-south coastal navigation.

Mr Voridis accepted the Chinese Government's invitation to participate in at the Shanghai World Exhibition (5 - 10 November 2019) which will be the "basis" for the "conquest" of its vast market, with the exhibition at the Greek stand of their important agricultural products.