Like many European businesses, the Spiropoulos family winery in Greece’s Arcadia region was attracted by China’s vast potential as it ooked for new markets for its organic wines. It turned to its local Network branch, the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce, for advice and help.

Network expert Matina Tzimouri used the business cooperation database and contact with one of the Network’s Chinese branches, the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, to compile a list of reliable distributors.

At the same time, the Greek embassy in Beijing supplied the Chamber with information on legal procedures for exporting to China, thanks to an agreement signed between the Network consortium, CIP-Hellas, and the Greek foreign ministry.

“Having a Network branch in China really helped,” says Tzimouri. “This eased communications between the Spiropoulos winery and potential clients as they negotiated price, quantity and delivery procedures.” The winery exports under its Domain Spiropoulos label to 10 countries in Europe, North America and Asia. It has now added an 11th.

Spiropoulos is happy with its new Shanghai distributor who appreciates his emphasis on quality and returns regularly with small but growing orders. Using the Enterprise Europe Network saved us considerable time, money and stress,” said John Spiropoulos.