What is your career path?

I studied Economics and Business Administration in America, at a time when the world was very different from today in so many areas.

After finishing school in Panama, I travelled to Boston for my studies and somehow there I felt like I had my whole life ahead of me.

Student years are always unique and unrepeatable and I am glad because I lived and enjoyed them.

Almost simultaneously with my studies, I gained valuable experience in diplomatic representation of Greece around the world for more than 22 years. Diplomatic life is very special, exciting and interesting. It taught me a lot.

Furthermore, I could not fail to mention my experience in managing our family shipping business in Panama, which my father started 70 years ago and which my three brothers and sisters have continued to this day.

For more that 15 years, I was actively involved in the financial management of our Group of companies, an experience that gave me many skills on a personal and professional level.

I would say that the roles of my career up to now has given me all the tools to undertake my diplomatic mission. Right now, I have the honor of representing the country where I was born and raised – Panama – to the country where my parents were born and raised – Greece – and I consider this opportunity a blessing.

Your activity at this stage?

As Ambassador and General Consul of Panama in Greece, I have undertaken both the diplomatic representation of the country and the representation of the Panamanian Register of Shipping in Greek Shipping.

The Panamanian flag, the first choice worldwide for shipping, has always had close and unbreakable ties with Greek shipowners, providing fast, efficient and high-quality services, facilitating every step of the ship’s owner with regard to the technical aspects of ships, crews, companies and all legal procedures undertaken by the registry.

My mission is to bring Greeks even closer to the Panamanian Registry by reviving a long-standing relationship that has deep, stable and solid foundations and can evolve dynamically and effectively incorporate the changes brought about the present and the important future of global shipping.

How do you see the future of the Geek Shipping in this global geopolitical unstable environment?

The current era is full of challenges, such as the technological revolution, new information and communication speeds, information overload, the unprecedented experience of pandemic, the disruption of liberal democracy by the recent war in Europe and the international need to respond in a meaningful way to the ever-worsening environmental crisis.

In this unstable international environment, shipping is emerging as an all-round player, ensuring the uninterrupted and smooth supply of the global community. The shipping industry, in the midst of constant crises, is the reliable carrier of 90% of international trade.

Greek shipping, now as a leading power with over 5,500 ships, is the backbone of the operation of global shipping and the most powerful and resilient link in the operation of the global supply chain, the global ecosystem.

The Greek shipping industry, honoring a centuries-old historical tradition, has faced and has been able to face multiple, different crises, always acting as a beacon of stability and turning crises, changes and new data into opportunities.