The 1st Business Forum Conference of the HEGO Project “Herbs for Growth” was succesfully organized by the Lead Partner, Development Association of Halkidiki SA in the Conference Center “Diakonia” in Thessaloniki, Greece.
The event was attended by representatives of the business community, public authorities, research institutions, universities / training centers, entrepreneurs and project partners from the 4 participating countries.
During first session of the Conference, the participants had the chance to familiarise with the HEGO project, learn about its progress and get important information on its already implemented activities and its future planned activities that are of great interest for the participants.
In the second session of the confrence, which was dedicated to guest entrepreneur lecturers, the participants had the chance to familiarise with new trends, tools and processes that could benefit greatly the businesses of the whole spectrum of the Value Chain of Aromatic and Medicinal plants.
In the following sections, you can see the summaries of lectures of the 1st Business Forum conference, while you can also download the respective Presentations by clicking on their title.
First session
Presentation a.1: Introduction to HEGO Project
by Tassos Livadiotis, Project Coordinator (ANETXA SA)
HEGO project is a joint intervention of 5 partner from 4 countries (Greece, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia), funded by the Black Sea Basin 2014 – 2020 programme. The objectives of the project are the protection of the biodiversity of the endemic species, the upgrade of the enterprises of the value chain of Aromatic and Pharmaceutical plants for the production of differentiated and added value products. It is envisaged to use tools and methods to increase knowledge and competence of the final beneficiaries, and so to enhance the cross-border trading for the local enterprises of the 4 countries.
Presentation a.2: HEGO Market Research in the Black Sea and North Aegean area
by Katerina Paltaki, Expert Scientist (AUTH)
The Research review for the herbs market in Greece, Moldova, Georgia and Armenia is presented, including the production methods, the training and the needs of this sector of economy (Aromatic and Pharmaceutical plants).
Presentation a.3: HEGO Training courses for sustainability and Growth
by Europe Sofia Dalampira, Expert Scientist (AUTH)
Herb sector is growing. But do training courses include what you really need to know? How can you easily learn innovative techniques? HEGO’s training courses are offering new way to disseminate knowledge and prepare future herb agribusiness for sustainable production and trade. In these courses you are learning from experts and farmers by a modern “learning by doing” approach.
Presentation a.4: The “Cluster” concept: An opportunity for Greece
by Smaragda Nikouli, Expert Scientist (ANETXA SA)
The present discourse constitutes a brief presentation of the findings derived from the desk research, which took place within the HEGO project. Among others, the presentation will be focused on harvesting from the benefits and best practices relevant case studies that clusters in Greece have to offer. The identification of aspects and parameters hampering the flourishing of Clustering attempts in Greece, will contribute to the manifestation of the Clusters’ establishment into the business world, as an opportunity towards thriving.
Second session
Presentation b.1: Association “Forest Product” – one of the main clustering schemes in the herbs sector in Georgia
by Giorgi Gujaraidze, Chairman of Association “Forest Product”
Association “Forest Product” is a newly established organization whose main goal is to promote the development and protection of the forest-related sectors in Georgia: timber and non-timber forest products, eco and forest tourism, as well as biomass and green economy. Currently, it remains the main clustering scheme of the herbs sector in Georgia. The main activity of the Association “Forest Product” is to support sustainable commercial use of forest products, which is carried out in cooperation with private, cooperative, sectoral, state, and public interests between individuals and legal entities collecting, cultivating, producing, and marketing raw materials.
Presentation b.2: The power of events as a communication tool for businesses
Aida Nika, Managing Director, AIDA
The presentation addresses the issue of developing a corporate communication strategy, through events, in accordance with international best practices. It presents the types of corporate events (exhibitions, conferences, product presentations, etc.), the steps of organizing corporate events by the entrepreneur, the benefits of developing a consistent corporate communication strategy through events, as well as the necessary follow-up evaluation of the due to strategy.
Presentation b.3: Quality control and promotion prospects for Aromatic and Medicinal Plants of Holy Monastery of Vatopedi
by Efstratios Michailidis, Head of Quality Control Department of Holy Monastery of Vatopedi QCD-HMV
The application of quality standards in the cultivation and production of Aromatic and pharmaceutical plants, is extremely important for increasing the value of the products and better access to markets, but also to maintain a position in them.
Presentation b.4: Innovative ideas for the exploitation of Lavender cultivation
by Aggelos Zamanis, General Manager, AGROVISION
The lavender grower must treat his cultivation in a multidimensional way and himself as an entrepreneur. If It’s done like that, it will be able to create new revenue channels, such as allocating / renting its fields for photography or other social events (eg weddings, meals, etc.). To include in his business plan, the industrial coexistence (eg partnership with beekeepers to produce lavender honey) and in general to see the final product with a different look and not only for the production of aromatic oils! In particular, the dry lavender drug can be used to compensate for CO2 emissions (eg Agrovision), but also as an original advertisement in hotel units.
This was the 1st Business Forum Conference organised in the framework of Activity A.T3.4 of the HEGO project. Two more similar Conferences will be organized by other HEGO partner countries in the near future:
a) in Armenia in the Summer of 2022,
b) in Moldova in the Autumn of 2022
Stay tuned for more info!