A five-million-euro action plan to promote Greek olive oil and olives - one of the country's best-known products -- in various international markets was unveiled on Monday by Economy and Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis, as 2006 has been declared as the "Year of Olive Oil". 

"High quality olive oil, with its special symbolism, should become a vehicle for other Greek products wishing to penetrate foreign markets, while it can also help in the promotion of Greece's tourism," said Alogoskoufis in a joint press conference with another four relevant ministers, namely, Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas, Agriculture Development and Foodstuffs Minister Evangelos Basiakos, Tourism Development Minister Fanny Pali-Petralia and Deputy Foreign Minister Evripides Stylianidis.

EU funding for olive oil promotion drive: Greece will receive 145 million euros from the European Union to help finance a drive aimed at boosting olive and olive oil output and sales, Agriculture and Foods Minister Evangelos Basiakos said on Monday.

Part of a total 236 million euros in financing will be ploughed into expanding olive cultivation, especially for organically produced olive oil, the minister told a news conference on Olive Oil Year.

Investment in the sector is to support the incomes of 600,000 olive producers and publicize standardized olive oil, which today represents only 6% of exports, he reported.

Source: Athens News Agency

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