Agenda

This session will explore the latest developments in 2025 that impact trade, from new trade agreements to policy shifts. Our expert panellists will discuss how Europe can take the lead with stable, predictable policies while ensuring adaptability to emerging challenges—helping SMEs stay competitive in an uncertain world.

Moderator: Dr. Marinos Giannopoulos, CEO, Enterprise Greece

Panellists:

• Denis Redonnet, Deputy Director-General, Directorate-General for Trade and Economic Security (DG Trade), European Commission
• Anne Chappaz, Chief, Institutions and Ecosystems, International Trade Centre
• Ricardo Arroja, CEO, AICEP – Portuguese Trade & Investment Agency
• Nikos Vettas, General Director, IOBE – Foundation for Economic & Industrial Research and Professor,
  Athens University of Economics and Business

Q&A session (15 minutes)

This panel will explore how AI-focused startups and SMEs can access EU funding to support growth and internationalisation. Featuring AI companies sharing their experiences, the discussion will cover key EU funding instruments, how to align with European priorities, and the role of TPOs in guiding businesses toward successful applications and market expansion.

Moderator: Michaela Balis, Director for Greece & Cyprus, Germany Trade & Invest

Panellists:

• Anastasios Gaitanis, General Secretary for Research and Innovation, Hellenic Ministry of Development
• Areti Roditi, Regional Mandate Manager, European Investment Fund (EIF) – Athens Office
• Michalis Kassimiotis, Managing Director, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Hellas & Cyprus
• George Eleftheriou, Co-Founder and CEO, Feel Therapeutics

Q&A session (15 minutes)

Experts will discuss the role of defence SMEs in innovation, growth and supply chains and how they could expand cross-border in the EU Single Market.

Moderator: Fernando Ballesta, Head of Internationalization, Info Murcia (Caetra Programme)

Panellists:

• Georgios Nounesis, Director and Chairman of the Board, National Centre for Scientific Research
  “Demokritos”
• Georgios Stavritis, Project Manager, Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space (DG
  DEFIS), European Commission
• Panagiotis Papageorgiou, Executive Board Member, Hellenic Center for Defence Innovation S.A. (HCDI)

Q&A session (15 minutes)

Experts will share views on the future of trade promotion in an uncertain world.

Moderator: Anne Lanigan, Member of the Board at Trade Promotion Europe and Divisional Manager, Technology and Services, Enterprise Ireland

Panellists:

• Hubert Gambs, Deputy Director-General, Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW), European Commission
• Neil Swain, Commercial Counsellor, Embassy of Canada to the Hellenic Republic, High Commission of Canada to the Republic of Cyprus
• Annemieke Broesterhuizen, Managing Director, International Trade, Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO)
• Vassileios Korkidis, President of the Piraeus Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• Georgios Tsinavos, Deputy CEO, KRI KRI S.A.

Q&A (15 minutes)