Greece and India are deepening economic ties with the establishment of a new branch of the Greek-Indian Chamber of Commerce in Kos, aiming to strengthen business connections and drive regional development in the Aegean.

The initiative was unveiled by Chamber President Angelos Tsavdaris, who emphasized the strategic importance of the Aegean, where 90% of Greece’s annual tourists visit, making it a critical region for the country’s tourism-driven economy. “We believe that the development of the Aegean can only be established on solid foundations,” Tsavdaris said.

The new branch will focus on four main areas: labor recruitment, tourism expansion, investment attraction, and boosting local production. Through the ‘Eutopia’ program, the Chamber will act as an intermediary to facilitate the arrival of Indian workers to fill labor shortages in tourism, catering, agriculture, and manufacturing sectors. The initiative seeks to provide Aegean island businesses with much-needed workforce support while simultaneously enhancing service quality and promoting sustainable business practices.

Tourism is another key focus. The Chamber is eyeing the potential for a direct Athens-Delhi flight, which Aegean Airlines plans to introduce in 2026. The route is expected to bring a new wave of Indian tourists to Greece’s islands, a market the Chamber is eager to tap into.

Investment is also on the agenda, with the Chamber actively engaging Indian investors through business forums that have attracted prominent business figures. The focus now shifts to the Aegean, targeting sectors such as tourism infrastructure, healthcare, transportation, and potential collaborations with established Greek firms in the region.

Additionally, the Chamber aims to boost local production by promoting Aegean-made products in the Indian market, encouraging year-round economic activity beyond the summer tourist season. The strategy includes fostering new entrepreneurs to develop and market local goods, potentially reshaping the islands’ economic model from seasonal employment to permanent job creation.

Tsavdaris urged local authorities, chambers of commerce, and business associations across the Aegean to rally behind the initiative, stressing that development must begin in Greece’s periphery to activate untapped entrepreneurial potential.

“This is a unique opportunity for Aegean islands to promote themselves through joint initiatives with the Greek-Indian Chamber of Commerce,” he said, underscoring the potential for long-term economic gains.

While the initiative is still in its early stages, the response from local businesses has been promising, according to Tsavdaris. “We still have much work to do, but the interest we’ve received from island entrepreneurs is already impressive,” he noted.