On Tuesday, June 13, the Secretary General for Research and Innovation, Mr. Athanasios Kyriazis, participated in the opening ceremony of IPIC2023: 9th International Physical Internet Conference – Εxpanding the Logistics Scope, organized by ALICE–the European Technology Platform and ICCS-the Institute of Communication and Computer Systems/NTUA.
In his address Mr. Kyriazis first highlighted the importance of Logistics for the Greek economy of transports and its great potential for research and innovation. In this regard, he noted that investment in research for the development of intelligent transport and logistics systems can contribute in addressing various challenges, e.g. by mitigating environmental impacts and optimizing transport operations.
He pointed out that, according to the 2023 World Bank ranking, Greece improved considerably its performance in the logistics sector and ranked 23rd – moving up from the 42nd position in 2018. He added that the contribution of the logistics sector to the GDP, currently estimated at about 20 billion euros, could increase substantially and that there is great potential for “technological innovation in logistics and transport” in Greece.
He subsequently indicated that Greek research institutes and universities in Athens, Thessaloniki, Patra and Crete are active members of the European research community, often taking a leading role in the intelligent transport sector, and that public bodies and that Greek enterprises are active participants in research-related programmes financed by the European Union.
More specifically, he indicated that the GSRI has included the Transport and Logistics sector among its priorities, as defined by the National Smart Specialization Strategy, and has identified sectoral priorities through the Entrepreneurial Discovery Process; it has also, through the “Research-Create-Innovate” Single Action, financed 32 collaborative research projects implemented by private enterprises and research bodies in the field of intelligent transport systems, with a total budget of over 22.4 million euros of which approximately 18.4 million euros from public funding.
In addition, Mr Kyriazis indicated that the National Roadmap for Research Infrastructures comprises a National Intelligent Research Infrastructure for Shipping, Supply Chain, Transport and Logistics (EN.I.R.I.S.S.T.), coordinated by the University of the Aegean, with projected funding of about 3 million euros.
He also highlighted the GSRI collaboration with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport in the context of the national plan to modernize the country’s transport system and infrastructures and ensure the necessary long-term funding, as well as collaboration on related matters with the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy and the Ministry of the Environment and Energy.
Mr. Kyriazis concluded his address by saying that Greece has achieved significant progress, shaping a positive environment for the development of intelligent transport systems, and that the new 2021-2027 Programming Period offers even better opportunities for investments in research and technology, with a focus in creating a smarter Europe, through financial support provided by the European Structural and Investment Funds.
