News

UfM and Mediterranean Chambers of Commerce Association commit to accelerate economic integration of the Mediterranean

28-11-2011

The Union for the Mediterranean and the Association of the Mediterranean Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ASCAME) have signed an agreement aimed to strengthen private sector involvement in the economic and social development of the Mediterranean region.

 
A press release said as part of the 5th Mediterranean Economic Leaders Week, which took place from 21 to 25 November 2011 in Barcelona, the Secretary General of the Union for the Mediterranean, Youssef Amrani, and the Speaker of the House of Commerce of Barcelona, Miquel Valls, representing the Association of Chambers of Commerce of the Mediterranean (ASCAME) signed a cooperation agreement with the key objective of strengthening the private sector’s role in the economic and social development of the region, thus contributing to the consolidation of the economic and social pillar of the UfM.
 
The agreement also foresees the support of various initiatives of the private sector to develop an environment favourable to investment in the Mediterranean regions, as a basis for sustainable economic growth.
Specifically, the agreement aims to support initiatives that promote job creation, economic initiatives and social entrepreneurship, with an emphasis on small and medium enterprises, which represent 90% of all businesses in the region.
 
Mr. Amrani said in his speech that the current context marked by the economic crisis in several countries of the northern shore of the Mediterranean and the political transition process experienced by the countries of the southern shore was an opportunity to re-initiate the flow of investment and North/South trade which will create jobs and strengthen economic growth in the region. He particularly insisted on the importance of developing concrete projects that involve young entrepreneurs, by facilitating access to technical and financial instruments.
 
Mr. Valls underlined that the promotion of economic activity, understood as an instrument of peace, cooperation and reconciliation is the main contribution of the chambers of commerce and especially of the Mediterranean companies, at the economic and social pillar of the Union for the Mediterranean. (ENPI Info Centre)
 
Read more
 
Press release
 
ENPI Info Centre - Mediterranean Week of Economic Leaders: enhancing the skills of Mediterranean workforce requires stronger public-private partnerships
 
ASCAME - website
 
Mediterranean Week of Economic Leaders – website
 
 

NEWS
UfM project launches first Women Entrepreneurship Day
Young Women as Job Creators, a project labelled by the Union for the...
Advancing the quality of Euro-Mediterranean research in food, water and renewable energies: your voice is needed
In order to address the societal challenges of high quality affordable food,...
Launch of fair trade products line for more economic opportunities between Israelis and Palestinians
A new ‘fair trade’ products line, combining the work of artisans...
FEATURES
Interview with Holger Standertskjold-Nordenstam - Export Helpdesk, your gateway to European markets
Imagine you own a small company in Tunisia or Moldova and you’re about to...
Supporting budget: Supporting change - Interview with Luca Oriani Vieyra
TALKING ABOUT THE NEIGHBOURHOOD EU Budget Support is not a gift. It is a...
The new trade routes of old natural soap
Cosmetics were chosen because of their great potential for market expansion:...
PUBLICATIONS
Research and Innovation in support of the European Neighbourhood Policy
 The European Commission’s DG Research and Innovation has published...
Projects in Action: the human face of EU Neigbourhood cooperation
Projects in Action, a magazine produced by the EU Neighbourhood Info Centre is...
EU funding Handbook
A handbook on “European Union Funding for the Neighbourhood and...
LINKS
Map of ENPI CBC Land Border and Sea Crossing Programmes
Agenda Med
Link in Med: 1st virtual Mediterranean Business Community