Christos Folias was born in Thessaloniki on 14.2.1951.
He studied Economics (BA Economics) at the American University of Beirut (1975), in Lebanon.

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

He is:
▪ Cofounder of “GOODY’S”, the leading chain of Burger Restaurants, in Greece.
▪ Managing Director of “FOLIAS S.A., DAIRY INDUSTRY-EXPORTS”
▪ C.E.O. of “FOLIAS & ASSOCIATES”, Athens based consultants’ firm.
▪ President of the Board of “REAL TOBACCO S.A.”
▪ President of the Board of “NAIAS S.A.”

POLITICAL ACTIVITIES

• In the European elections in 1999, Christos Folias was elected Member of the European Parliament with the Party of Nea Dimokratia (1999-2004), and lived in Brussels for 5 years.

• In March 2004, he was elected Member of the Greek Parliament for Nea Dimokratia, and was appointed Deputy Minister for Economy and Finance. As Dep. Minister he was responsible for: EU-Greece cofunded development programs. Public Investments, covering all the Ministries in the government. Private investments, supporting and promoting them in all sectors of the economy.

• In September 2007 he was re-elected MP and was appointed Minister for Development, responsible for Energy, Industry, Trade, Consumers, Research and Technology.

CIVIC ACTIVITIES

He was:
• Vice President of the “Hellenic-Australian Business Council” (2012-2017).
• Vice President of the European Confederation of Trade “EuroCommerce” (1999-2004).
• Vice President of the “SME-Europe” (2012-2016), the European SME’s branch of the “European People’s Party” (EPP).
• Member of the Board of Directors of the Thessaloniki Chamber for Commerce and Industry, (1984-2011) and of Athens Chamber for Commerce and Industry (1997-2004).
• President of the Traders’ Association of Thessaloniki (1986-1999).
• Member of the European Economic and Social Committee (E.ECOSOC) as a representative of Greek Trade in Brussels (1994-1999).
• President of the National Confederation of Hellenic Commerce (1997-2003).
• Vice-President and Co-founder of the “Euro-Mediterranean Initiative for Trade, Distribution and Services” (Euro Med TDS), (1998-2004).
• Member of the Executive Board of the Foundation “Robert Schuman” (1999-2004).
• Vice President of the European Confederation of Trade “EuroCommerce” (1999-2004).
• President of the Arab-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce and Development (2010-2013).

Irene Livanou, T: +30 210 6617 777 (ext. 119), Ε: ilivanou@boussias.com
  Christos Tegos, Τ: +30 210 6617777  (ext. 198), Ε: ctegos@boussias.com
Nicole Armoni, Τ: +30 210 6617777  (ext. 155), Ε: narmoni@boussias.com