Country Analysis - Greece

Bordering the Aegean Sea, Ionian Sea and the Mediterranean Sea in southern

Europe,Greece is a country of mostly mountains with ranges extending into the sea as

peninsulas or chains of islands. From wet winters, to hot and dry summers, greece is a

popular tourist destination.

With nearly 4.5 million people in the Athens area, Greece is populated with nearly

10 million people in which a parliamentary democracy exists. 300 people are elected

whom form the parliament which conducts the legislative duties of the government.The

political party collects approximately 151 seats in the parliamental duties of the

administration. The president automatically becomes prime minster and then gets

appointed to become cabinet ministers. The actual ‘president’ is elected by the

parliament for a five year term. The current ‘chief of state’ is President Karolos

Papoulias and the head of government is Prime Minister Antonis Samaras.

As you are aware, Greece’s economy isn’t doing too well lately. Greece has a

capitalist economy which means it has an economic system based on private ownership

of capital. 40 percent of the countries GDP is accounted from a public sector. Tourism

provides fifteen percent, in which we will discuss later. Between 2003 and 2007 the

economy grew nearly four percent per year. This is partially due to the 2004 Olympic

games which also resulted in an increased availability of credit. However, with the 2009

recession due to the world financial crisis, Athens’ credit conditions tightened. Greece

violated the EU’s Growth and Stability Pact which says no more than three percent of

GDP, in which Greece was at six percent in 2011. The economy of Greece kept going

downhill. By April 2010, the credit agencies assigned Greece to be in the lowest

possible credit rating in debt. A loan worth $147 billion was given to the country, so that

it could make debt repayments to creditors. Many doubt that Greece can sustain fiscal

efforts in the face of an economic outlook, public discontent, and political instability.

The Import and Exports of Greece run through the same general countries.

Greece exports food and beverages, manufactured goods, petroleum products,

chemicals and textiles to Italy, Turkey, Germany, Cyprus, Bulgaria, the US, China,

Switzerland, Belgium and Poland which runs approximately to $28.16 billion dollars. On

the other side, Greece imports roughly $66.04 billion dollars worth of machinery,

transport equipment, fuels and chemicals from Germany, Russia, Italy, China, France,

Iran and the Czech Republic. Greece’s land is rich in agriculture consisting of wheat,

corn, barley, sugar beets, olives, tomatoes, wine, tobacco, potatoes, beef and dairy

products.

Greece has many industries including food and tobacco processing, textiles,

chemicals, metal products, mining, petroleum and tourism. Greece attracts more than

17.5 million people per year. Greece and the Greek Islands are one of the favorite

tourism destinations in Europe. Greece is the 15th place in the world rating of tourist

destinations. Greece is popular for its clean beaches and long history. There are

hundreds of archaeological and historical sites to visit that depict the countries past. The

country consists of more than 1,400 islands, however only 169 of them are inhabited.

The islands are the most popular destinations which offer a wonderful place to relax and

have fun. Amongst these islands, Mykonos with its cosmopolitan character, Santorini

with the most romantic sunset in the world, Rhodes, the island of the medieval castles,

sun and butterflies, Crete with its revolutionary spirit, Ios with its wild nightlife and

Samos with the greenest of all the Greek islands. Tourism in greece constitutes a large

part of the Greek economy. Many new jobs have been created and business has been

supported, through setting up numerous gift shops in each area.

When it comes to doing business in Greece, there are many things that you need

to know varying for the language of Greece, to the religion, family values, general

etiquette and customs in Greece. This includes meeting etiquette, gift giving etiquette,

dining etiquette, table manners and how to communicate during a business meeting or

negotiation.

Business etiquette and protocol in Greece is very important when it comes down

to relationships and communication. Greeks like doing business with people they trust

and know, so its important to build a good relationship with them. Often, family and

friends are called upon for business assistance since they are confident in their

trustworthiness. Greeks prefer face-to-face meetings rather than doing business by

phone or in writing which is seen impersonal to them. It also takes time to develop

relationships in the business world. This can often be built by over extending lunches,

dinners and social outings. There is a certain type of Etiquette required when scheduling a Business Meeting

with a Greek. First off an appointment should be made 1 to 2 weeks in advanced and

one day prior the meeting should be confirmed through the phone. Its usually not until

the third meeting that business is actually conducted. During the first meeting your

Greek business colleagues will want to get to know something about you as a person.

The second meeting is used to develop trust and mutual respect. By the third meeting

business may begin. When this happens, you should have printed material available in

both English and Greek. Although some business people speak English, it is a good

idea to hire an interpreter.

Business Negotiations are also important in the business world. Forming a

personal relationship is critical to developing a successful business relationship.

Companies after all are hierarchical. The Greeks respect age and position. Business is

usually conducted slowly so you’ll have to be patient and not appear ruffled as well as

not losing your temper during discussions. Greeks are skilled negotiators after all and

they enjoy haggling.

Before any of this happens however, you will have to meet your soon to be

possible partners. Greeks are warm and hospitable. When meeting someone for the

first time, they shake hands firmly, smile, and maintain direct eye contact. Often

however, they embrace. They may also kiss each other on the cheek. Male friends often

slap each other’s arm at the shoulder.

Ninety-eight percent of the 10.6 million population of Greece speaks Greek,

making it the countries official language. For religion, The Greek Orthodox Church is the

national religion practiced by the majority of the population. Religion after all is integral

to life in Greece and is evidenced in the respect for hierarchy and view of the family as a

single unit of strength.

Country Analysis - Ethiopia

Located in Eastern Africa, west of Somalia, Ethiopia is a country consisting of

high plateaus with central mountain ranges divided by the Great Rift Valley. This is a

great place for the natural resources of Ethiopia including small reserves of gold,

platinum, copper, potash, natural gas and hydropower. Ethiopia is the oldest

independent country in Africa and one of the oldest in the world.

The president is elected by both chambers of parliament for a six-year term and

the prime minister is designated by the party in power following the legislative elections.

Currently the chief of state is President Girma Woldegiorgis and the head of

government is Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn.

Ethiopia's economy is based on agriculture which accounts for forty-one percent

of GDP and eighty-five percent of total employment. Coffee has been a major export

crop of Ethiopia. More of Ethiopia’s exports include khat, gold, leather products, live

animals and oilseeds consisting of 2.957 billion dollars. Ethiopia trades mostly with

Germany, China, Belgium, Saudi Arabia, US and Italy. Ethiopia also imports from Saudi

Arabia, China and India consisting of 9.694 billion dollars. This includes food and live

animals, petroleum products, chemicals, machinery ,motor vehicles, cereals and

textiles.

Ethiopia has approximately 84 indigenous languages, most of them Afro-Asiatic

plus some Nilo-Saharan. English is the most widely spoken foreign language and is the

medium of instruction in secondary schools and universities. Amharic was the language

of primary school instruction, but has been replaced in many areas by local languages.

After the fall of the Derg regime in 1991, the new constitution of the Federal Democratic

Republic of Ethiopia granted all ethnic groups the right to develop their languages and

to establish mother tongue primary education systems.

Ethiopia is a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic country. Religion is a major influence

in the Ethiopian life. Nearly half the population belongs to the Ethiopian Orthodox

Church but there is also a large Muslim population, while others adhere to an ancient

form of Judaism.

In a business sense, there is a proper meeting etiquette used in Ethiopia.

Greetings are formal and courteous. Handshakes are somewhat prolonged and not

especially firm. They are always combined with strong direct eye contact and there is

generally no touching between sexes. If a foreign businesswoman extends her hand

however, a cosmopolitan Ethiopian may accept it to avoid causing her offense.

Greetings are never rushed due the fact that you enquire about people’s families, health

and work. If meeting a government official, they must be addressed as “excellency’

without using their name. Business cards are given without formal ritual and you must

present and receive business cards with the right hand only or with both hands.

Ethiopians can be very sensitive when it comes to communication. Since they

have only recently begun working with foreigners in business situations they are still

getting used to the new ways. As a general rule, they are humble and respect the

quality in others, speaking in soft tones since loud voices are seen as too aggressive.

Ethiopians pride themselves on their eloquent speaking styles and expect others to

speak clearly using metaphors, allusions and witty innuendoes. Ethiopians tend to be

non-confrontational and offer what they believe is the expected response rather than

say something that might embarrass another. Honor and dignity are crucial to

Ethiopians and they will go out of their way to keep from doing something that could

bring shame to another person. This is why it is important to treat your Ethiopian

business colleagues with utmost professionalism and never do anything that would

make them lose dignity and respect.

Meeting schedules aren’t very rigid in Ethiopia. There may be an agenda,

although if one is used its more as a guideline for the discussion. Since relationships

are very important, meetings start with extended social pleasantries. You will be offered

tea or coffee and will be expected to ask questions about the other person and respond

to questions about yourself. Meeting seldom have a scheduled ending time since it is

considered more important to complete the meeting satisfactorily than be slavishly tied

to the clock. The meeting end when everyone has had their say and the most senior

Ethiopians decide that there is nothing left to be discussed. Performing favors often

indicates friendship, therefore Ethiopians feel obliged to do something if asked by a

friend. Since they generally only conduct business with people they consider friends,

they have difficulty saying “no” to request from business associates, but this doesn't

mean that they agree wot everything.