(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Some Greek expatriates in Qatar told Gulf Times yesterday it is too early to make a comment on the effect of their compatriots 'No' in the referendum on Sunday against austerity and the present terms of the bail out.
Konstantoz Zagkaz, a senior professional photographer, employed with a top level governmental sports organisation, said no ordinary citizen, living away from his home country would be able to comment on the effect of the developments at this stage.
Zagkez said he has been away from Athens for about four years now, but watching the developments closely these days. "It is too early to speak on such issues as austerity, bail out , impact on stock markets and impact on this country and other parts of the GCC," said Zagkez.
A Greek civil engineer, felt things would be far from comfortable for his compatriots in the coming days as there are uncertainties on many fronts. "One thing that most of our people know is there is not enough money in the system and the country needs investments from all quarters to overcome the present situation," he observed.
A senior shipping and logistics expert who has been watching Greece very closely over the years said his inquiries have found that ports are working as usual and there is no sign of any panic as far as imports and exports are concerned.
He said the shipments to Greece from Qatar consisted mainly of petrochemicals and similar goods and no local company has ever faced any issue of payments. Though international banking operations from Greece is not taking place, all transactions to Greece from all over the world are proceeding as usual, he said.
A travel operator said not many tourists from the region, in particular Qatar, are frequenting Greece and hence there is hardly any effect on Qatar. Possibly Greece is receiving indirect tourists from the region who travel from different European destinations as part of their visit of that region.
He was however doubtful if Greece would be able to attract tourists in large numbers in coming days on account of the latest scenario.
It is estimated that more than 4,000 Greeks are living in Qatar, a large number of them engineering professionals and many are reportedly working in Qatar Rail, foreign universities at Qatar Foundation's Education City, Qatar Airways and event management firms.
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