 Greek businesses in Macedonia are very worried and confused as to what had occured this week. The change in Macedonians' attitude was easily noticed since Thursday.
Disappointed with their southern neighbor over the NATO
veto, Macedonians have already started canceling their vacations to
Greece, opting to Turkey instead.
"I can't say I haven't had cancellations when I have. The
interest of Macedonians' to go on vacation in Greece has been
drastically lowered." says a worker in Savana, a Tourist
Agency.
However, Greek businesses may suffer the most in the Banking
sector. Stopanska Banka, which is owned by the Greek National Bank
has seen people close their portfolios and transfer to local banks.
The Greek chain Vero still has Macedonians shopping there, but not
for Greek products. "To be honest with you, for the first time I
looked at the label to see where it is produced. If in Greece, I put
it back on the shelf." says Vero shopper.
In Gevgelija a Greek business owner who has invested 1 million Euros
in retail stores was baffled by the Greek Government. He spoke to us
shortly, on condition of anonymity: "I don't know what to say, I
am confused and worried for my investments. I never thought Greece
would put a veto, I honestly thought the veto talk was to scare
Macedonia."
The 2006 figures put Greek investments in Macedonia at 320 million
euros.
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