SOKEE Secretary General, Evangelos Charalampous, meets with Ms. Nazdar Sherzad, Minister Plenipotentiary and Chargé d’ Affaires of the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq in Athens

On Tuesday, 7 July 2026, the Secretary General of SOKEE, Mr. Evangelos Charalampous, held an official working meeting with Ms. Nazdar Sherzad, Minister Plenipotentiary and Chargé d’ Affaires of the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq in Athens.

The meeting focused on strengthening cooperation between SOKEE and the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq in Athens in the field of the international exhibition industry.

The two sides discussed opportunities to further enhance bilateral cooperation, with particular emphasis on:

• the participation of Greek companies in trade fairs and exhibitions organized in Iraq,
• the participation of Iraqi companies in trade fairs and exhibitions organized in Greece,
• the development and organization of Hosted Buyers programmes and business delegation initiatives,
• the exchange of expertise and best practices within the exhibition industry.

Furthermore, both parties reaffirmed their shared commitment to developing initiatives aimed at strengthening economic and business relations between Greece and Iraq through international trade exhibitions, as a platform for international business development, investment and economic cooperation.

The Secretary General of the Hellenic Exhibition Industry Association (SOKEE), Evangelos Charalampous, stated: “I firmly believe that exhibitions can serve as a genuine catalyst for strengthening the economic relations between Greece and Iraq. They create the ideal environment for businesses, public institutions, and investors to connect, exchange expertise, and develop new partnerships. At SOKEE, we are committed to actively fostering these bridges of cooperation and promoting the exhibition industry as a strategic tool for international outreach, business development, and sustainable economic growth.”

The Minister Plenipotentiary and Chargé d’ Affaires of the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq in Athens, Ms Nazdar Sherzad, stated: “As Iraq enters a new era of economic development and investment, exhibitions play a vital role in promoting trade, innovation, and international partnerships.

We believe that strengthening collaboration through bilateral participation in exhibitions, the exchange of knowledge and best practices, and enhanced institutional cooperation will create valuable opportunities for businesses in both countries. Such collaboration will foster innovation, facilitate investment, and contribute to building a dynamic, sustainable, and mutually beneficial economic relationship founded on ever-stronger commercial ties.”

The meeting took place in a warm and constructive atmosphere, reaffirming the mutual commitment of SOKEE and the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq in Athens to further strengthening their cooperation.