On the occasion of the 25^th Anniversary of the Barcelona Process and in the framework of the 14th Mediterranean Week of Economic Leaders, ASCAME, together with the most important organisations of the private sector in the Mediterranean, Europe, the Arab world and Africa, will organise a Presentation of the Mediterranean Private Sector Declaration, which will bring together the main actors in the Mediterranean region from the private sector (Europe, Africa, Asia), to support the Mediterranean integration process from a civil society perspective.

Pioneer since 1982 in promoting economic cooperation and entrepreneurship between the two shores, ASCAME will promote several initiatives and events in the whole region, confirming its commitment with the Mediterranean, the continuity of the Barcelona Process and to foster a new beginning that will transform the Mediterranean into an area of dialogue and interchange.

Business Leaders from the Mediterranean, Europe, Africa and the Middle East, such as Business Associations, Presidents of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry and SMEs representatives, will gather at this unparalleled event. At this meeting, they will join efforts and commit for the economic and social development of the Mediterranean through 25 initiatives for action.

The Mediterranean Private Sector Summit pursues as main objectives to involve the Euro-Mediterranean Association, support the Barcelona Process and the UfM, and make efforts towards the implementation of a Euro-Mediterranean area of economic integration. A meeting that intends to provide the public and private organisations from both sides of the region with the appropriate tools to enhance cooperation and knowledge exchange for more efficient and integrated development.

The economy in the Mediterranean has the private sector as main pillar. Therefore, it becomes an inherent part of the Mediterranean economy and should also be seriously considered in the decision-making process to boost the future of the entire region and particular businesses. Furthermore, the private sector should be actively involved in the elaboration of development policies for the Mediterranean region, the Euro-Med association and the partnership with Africa, which could be a major partner.

The private’s sector function does not remove the role of the public sector. Quite the opposite, it would rather complement it. Both public and private can provide a protection network for the region’s economy. Due to its potential, the private sector can play a crucial and effective role, for example in terms of helping to achieve human and economic development, getting rid of unemployment or providing opportunities for women and young people. Also, it has an important role in national income growth, as it reduces dependency and increases exports.

The global COVID-19 outbreak has impacted every aspect of our lives. From the way we work to where we buy our food and how we greet each other, our lives have changed drastically. The last 9 months have seen dramatic changes in how the world does business. Most organisations and their networks have been turned upside down.

 With the COVID-19 crisis leading to profound alterations to the nature of work and employment, broader measures are needed to provide for social and economic inclusion of Mediterranean youth populations, particularly women. A recovery strategy tends to strengthen growth, which cannot be achieved without good governance, without the development of a strong middle class, or without strong social cohesion. Aspects that should constitute the key pillars of the New Development Model.

A crucial point at this time is urgency. Urgency of a reactivation to avoid economic and financial suffocation, but also to lay the foundations for the new model of economic development in the Mediterranean Region. There is no easy success or ultimate failure and, at the point where the Mediterranean economy is right now, there is no better option than to transform these difficulties imposed by the pandemic into an opportunity for complete change.

The region lives immersed in multiple challenges: the pandemic, economic development, climate change, demography, youth, the inclusion of women, unemployment, urbanisation, education, democracy… And despite everything, we are doomed to succeed. In this process, the private sector must move from just being a spectator to becoming an actor, as it influences economic growth, job creation and social development in the Mediterranean region. As a predecessor of the integration process through the long and constant tradition of exchanges between the two sides of the Mediterranean Sea, the private sector deserves recognition and involvement in return for its development. Moreover, this active role should be expanded by increasing horizontal and regional projects and programs that support the capacities of intermediary organisations, such as Chambers of Commerce, Federations of SMEs and Public Assistance agencies.

In the process of generating wealth and a global and competitive Mediterranean, all stakeholders, but especially companies and their representatives (Mediterranean Chambers of Commerce, Business Associations, etc.) which promote economic cooperation activities between the countries and continents of the area, are the “real actors for peace“.

Chambers of commerce and private-sector leaders  must make  greater efforts to promote the foundations for the new economic development model in the Mediterranean Region, stimulating job creation, including re-skilling and up-skilling initiatives; fiscal policies that provide social safety nets in support of the vulnerable and the poor; and targeted private sector development that will reduce youth unemployment and stimulate the integration of women and young populations into the regional workforce.

The New economy in the Mediterranean has the private sector as main pillar. Therefore, it becomes an inherent part of the Mediterranean economy and should also be seriously considered in the decision-making process to boost the future of the entire region and particular businesses. Furthermore, the private sector should be actively involved in the elaboration of development policies for the Mediterranean region, the Euro-Med association and the partnership with Africa, which could be a major partner.

Speakers:

Join us at the Presentation of the Mediterranean Private Sector Declaration and get to know the new trends,
find inspiration, and most importantly: do great business!