Diving into sustainable and digital solutions in the logistics industry
Mediterranean is a region with a rapidly growing economy and a young, tech-savvy population especially in the south coast and north Africa. This has created a fertile ground for startups in the logistics sector, which are using technology to streamline supply chains and make it easier for businesses to get their goods to market.
Within MedaLogistics Week Barcelona 2004, the Mediterranean Logistics & Transport Summit that will take place on 5th and 6th of June in the framework of SIL Barcelona, we will count with the participation of Mediterranean logistics startups that are making the difference in this industry. These startups are using a variety of technologies, such as artificial intelligence and data analytics to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and increase transparency in the supply chain.
Negotiation processes and cultural understanding in the Mediterranean region
Each country in the Mediterranean region possesses its own unique cultural norms and values, which shape the negotiation process. Cultural understanding is a guiding compass, helping negotiators uncover shared values, overcome potential misunderstanding and forge strong connections.
With the aim of helping our members and partners to make business successfully beyond borders, ASCAME has signed a collaboration agreement with BÉCÉ Consulting & Language Services SL, a company specialized in training Intercultural communication skills, English, Spanish, German that trains professionals who lead international teams. Through its ad hoc training, professionals acquire the necessary skills to manage the company’s operations in the field of intercultural relations, focusing on key questions such as how to face conflict situations across cultures, how to enhance efficiency in cross-cultural meetings or how to embrace diversity as a great opportunity in an ever-changing world.
We talk about all these issues with Mrs. Elisabet CamprubĂ, CEO of BÉCÉ Consulting & Language Services, SL, in the following interview. Mrs. CamprubĂ is an experienced intercultural management consultant with expertise in English business, English training and product manager services. She specialized in export, sales, purchases and business training and coach executives, individuals and teams. Elisabet helps her clients navigate the complexities of intercultural business environments, ensuring that they achieve their goals and maximize their success.
Interview with Mr. Cristiano Erriu, General Secretary of Camera di Commercio Cagliari - Oristano
We talked to Mr. Cristiano Erriu about this institution’ commitment to developing the local economic system, strengthening ties with other Mediterranean countries and supporting the transition towards a greener Mediterranean.
The history of the Chamber of Commerce of Cagliari-Oristano (Sardinia) is very recent. The institution established on 1 December 2020 following the unification between the Chamber of Cagliari and the Chamber of Oristano. From then on, this chamber of commerce has achieved important results in supporting local businesses, facilitating access to financing, promoting training and innovation, as well as creating networking and internationalization opportunities.
Interview with Ms. Carla Picozza, Board Member of the Special Agency of Frosinone Latina Chamber of Commerce
INFORMARE is the Special Agency of Frosinone Latina Chamber of Commerce that provides comprehensive support and assistance to SMEs in the Frosinone and Latina regions. Its primary goal is to facilitate the growth and the development of companies in these areas by offering a range of specialized services tailored to their needs.
In order to have more details about the support of this institution to local companies we interviewed Mrs. Carla Picozza, who is the Board Member of INFORMARE with responsibility for internationalization. Mrs. Picozza also reflects on the main challenges facing in this region in comparison with other Mediterranean countries.
Mr. Josep Santacreu, President of the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce and Vice President of ASCAME
"No place as in the Mediterranean has experience of progress and collaboration and the ability to make every challenge and every apparent contradiction an opportunity"
We share an article written by Mr. Josep Santacreu, President of the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce, about the pivotal role of ASCAME in uniting all the key players in the Mediterranean private sector and fostering sustainable transition and digital transformation. Mr. Santacreu highlights the institution's contribution to the development of economic exchanges within the region, in addition to strongly encourage Euro-Mediterranean Association and the regional integration.
"China must maintain its efforts to expand and develop a positive image worldwide"
China's new Silk Road to connect Central Asia, the Middle East and Europe through a colossal infrastructure network has lost momentum since the pandemic. Its grand project, known as the Belt and Road Initiative, competes with equally strategies promoted by Europe and the US.
Will all these initiatives be able to coexist or, on the contrary, will they compete with each other, causing more economic fragmentation and blocking international trade? ASCAME's General Coordinator, Mr. Anwar Zibaoui, reflects on this on an article published in 'ExpansiĂłn'.
Interreg NEXT MED Programme: Making cooperation happen in the Mediterranean
Over 50 participants from 30 Mediterranean chambers of commerce and more than 10 eligible countries attended in March the Interreg NEXT MED Programme Online Info Session organized by ASCAME. It was an exclusive webinar addressed to ASCAME’s members to give more details about the Programme’s First Call for proposals, whose deadline for submission is on 30th of April.
This sessions was led by Mr. Vincent Ernoux, Coordinator of the Interreg NEXT MED Programme for the Western Mediterranean, and by Mr. Martin Heibel, Communications Manager of the Interreg NEXT MED Programme.
They both shared practical issues for submitting the programme, such as project types, participation and eligibility rules, financial rules and eligible costs, required documentation and details about the electronic application.
ECO-CRUISING FU_TOUR: Boosting green transition in the cruise sector
The EU ECO-CRUISING FU_TOUR Project moves towards a greener cruising and tourism sector through two new initiatives. On one hand, a series of workshops held in different Mediterranean cities to foster dialogue and synergies between SMEs and startups on the sustainable transition of this industry. This initiative was launched in November 2023 by Leancubator, the Algerian sustainable hub for innovation and start-up generation.
On the other hand, the launch of the Capacity Building Programme, which comprises two free online courses to provide key players in the cruise sector the skills and knowledge to champion sustainable practices in the sector. All of them can choose between a 25-hour Training Programme or a 10-hour Masterclasses series.
Exploring Mediterranean challenges and opportunities on new ASCAME's webinars
ASCAME launches a new series of webinars with interactive Q&A focused on the Mediterranean challenges and opportunities. These webinars have been designed with the aim of providing valuable insights on the most pressing issues of our time to Mediterranean SMEs. The first webinar will take place on 7th May and will explore the business opportunities in the Chinese market. It will be will be conducted by Mr. Ernesto Caccavale, SChina General Manager, who was Director of Business Development in Spain and Portugal of Alibaba. 📤 Send us an email to reserve your place! 👉 secretariat@ascame.org
1st edition of the ICC World Chambers Federation Regional Summit in the Americas
This summit, titled "Business beyond borders: MSMEs going global", will take place from 8th to 10th of May at the Bogotá Chamber of Commerce, in Bogotá (Colombia). The summit is tailored to equip local MSMEs and chambers with the tools and knowledge needed to break through barrieres, facilitate access to international markets and thrive in an increasingly interconnected world. Attendees will gain actionable strategies related to market entry and will also have the opportunity to engage in interactive business roundtables, schedule business meetings, and leverage the presence of over 40 international buyers.
MedaLogistics definitive programme: Uniting three continents through Mediterranean logistics
The definitive MedaLogistics programme is ready. Within its 20th edition, the summit will count with ministers with responsibility for transport, business leaders, heads of international organizations, and policymakers, along with representatives of business associations and leading researchers. All of them will discuss the future of transport and logistics, will explore how to foster connectivity and cooperation and also how to enhance global competitiveness.
Countdown to the World Entrepreneurs Investment Forum (WEIF) 2024, that will take place in Manama (Bahrain) on May 14th to 16th, concurrently with the Arab Leaders Summit 2024. The WEIF is facilitated by the General Secretariat at the UNIDO Investment and Technology Promotion Office in the Kingdom of Bahrain in partnership with the League of Arab States, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce in Bahrain, the Union of Arab Chambers, the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa, the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and local, regional and international partners.
With the theme "Achieving the SDGs through fostering innovation and economic growth", WEIF 2024 will address global challenges, such as inequality, climate change, poverty and peace.
We invite all entrepreneurs from your chamber of commerce to participate at this unique forum. Your presence will help boost domestic and foreign investment, thereby promoting economic development and prosperity. Contact us if you are interested in! 👉 secretariat@ascame.org
