The logistics community meeting point for dialogue, cooperation, and networking
The 20th edition of MedaLogistics Week Barcelona 2024, taking place on the 5th and 6th of June in the framework of SIL Barcelona, consolidated its position as the logistics summit of reference in the Mediterranean and globally. A total of 40 speakers and more than 400 CEOs and representatives from different Mediterranean governments, chambers of commerce and industry, and organisations made this event not only a space for debate on new challenges and trends in the industry but also the main platform for connection and investment for the global logistics community.
This yearâs claim linked Europe, Asia, and Africa through the Mediterranean and logistics. Panelists insisted on the need for cross-border cooperation to find joint solutions to current and future challenges âgeopolitical context, digital transformation, sustainable transition, gender equality, or knowledge transfer and innovation between public and private sectorsâ and forge business connections to explore emerging opportunities.
This edition was a turning point for all public and private agents to start working on a new roadmap in the logistics and transport sector for the coming years. Attendees agreed that now is the time to reposition the Mediterranean as the major logistics platform for east-west flows and as the best option for channeling cargo between Asia, Africa, and Europe. In addition, they assured that Barcelona has now the chance to become the main logistics hub in the Mediterranean, connecting the three continents.
ASCAME's members call for peace, hope and cooperation in the Mediterranean
Coinciding with the celebration of MedaLogistics Week Barcelona 2024, the ASCAME Executive Committee, which is the largest representative of the private sector in the Mediterranean, was held on the 5th of June in Barcelona. A total of 18 Mediterranean countries through different chambers of commerce were represented within the meeting, which represented an excellent opportunity to catch up on internal issues and new proposals. In addition, the committee was a good chance to explore new ways of cooperation to find common solutions to current Mediterranean challenges, such as digital transformation, sustainable transition, or geopolitical context.
The meeting concluded with a call for peace, hope and cooperation in the Mediterranean. The common message conveyed by all ASCAME members was that the Mediterranean needs today more than ever hope over uncertainty, development over violence, and the building of bridges over walls of misunderstanding. They remembered that this region has been for millennia a key trade zone because of its strategic location between Africa, Asia and Europe and, therefore, it must now regain its strategic position and once again become a pole of hope for its peoples in the alliance between Europe, Africa and the Middle East. As they pointed out, the pandemic, the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, and the conflict in the Red Sea have harmed regional economies, increasing the challenges facing the region.
New collaboration agreement with CCR - UEMOA
Promoting synergies between West Africa and the Mediterranean
The agreement responds to the commitment of both institutions to promote regional and economic integration of West Africa with the rest of the Mediterranean countries. Specifically, this new partnership between ASCAME and CCR-UEMOA aims to explore new business and investment opportunities between the two regions, strengthening the private sector, fostering knowledge transfer, and promoting synergies between chambers of commerce and SMEs.
Interview with Mr. Afailal Abdelatif, President of the Chamber
of Commerce, Industry and Services of Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima
The Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services of the Tangier â Tetouan â Al Hoceima (CCISTTA) includes the prefecture of Tangier-Asila and the Moroccan provinces of Fahs Anjara, Tetouan, Finideq, Larache, Ouazzane, Chefchaouen, and Al Hoceima.
From its foundation in 1947, this institution has provided support to local companies by facilitating investment and import & export processes, fostering entrepreneurship in the region, and seeking synergies and new ways of collaboration among SMEs, research and innovation centers, and public institutions. CCISTTA is committed to advancing towards the digital transformation of local companies and the sustainable transition in the region.
In the following interview, the President of the institution Mr. Afailal Abdelatif, reflects on the key role of the chamber of commerce in the economic development of the region in the last 80 years and also about the current and future challenges to face.
New partnership with the Canadian Chamber in Italy
The collaboration agreement aims to strengthen ties between Canadian and Mediterranean business ecosystems
Mr. Sergio Passariello, Delegate of the Canadian Chamber in Italy, and Mr. Anwar Zibaoui, General Coordinator of ASCAME, formalized this partnership in the framework of the celebration of MedaLogistics in Barcelona.
The partnership aims to strengthen ties between Canadian and Mediterranean business ecosystems, fostering mutual growth and development. Both institutions will collaborate on various initiatives to enhance trade relations, promote investment opportunities, and support joint ventures between businesses in both regions.
ASCAME and BĂCĂ join forces to help Mediterranean companies do business
across cultures
BĂCĂ will help ASCAME's members and partners navigate the complexities of intercultural business environments
To help its members and partners make business successful beyond borders, ASCAME has signed a new collaboration agreement with BĂCĂ Consulting and Language Services S.L. to promote business across cultures and foster economic development in the Mediterranean. Both parties, represented by Mr. Anwar Zibaoui, ASCAME's General Coordinator, and Ms. Elisabet CamprubĂ, CEO of BĂCĂ, will work together to step forward the economic and sustainable development of the region by promoting action on their respective networks.
Dialogue4Tourism Project (Interreg Euro-MED Programme): 2nd MED Innovation Camp held in Barcelona
ASCAME, on behalf of theDialogue4Tourism Project (D4T), attended on the 23rd of May in Barcelona the kick-off of the 2nd MED Innovation Camp, a two-day event organized by the Interreg Euro-MED 2021-2017 D4T Project -through its Innovative Sustainable Economy Mission- in collaboration with the Joint Research Centre.
This yearâs edition focused on the role of smart specialization strategies (S3) in supporting green and just transition in the Mediterranean. The event gathered the S3 practitioners with other actors of the innovation ecosystems from the Interreg community to strengthen connections and to share opportunities to work together and find new pathways to address sustainability challenges and SDGs.
ECO-CRUISING FU_TOUR:
Promoting eco-smart cruising packages for the Millennials
and Gen Z
The EU ECO-CRUISING FU_TOUR Projectwill design eco-smart cruising packages targeting Millennials and Gen Z. This initiative responds to the fact that young consumers are the fastest-growing segment of the cruise line's customers.
The main goal is to offer innovative routes and solutions that pave the way towards Net-Zero for coastal areas by introducing a new experience for young targets of the cruise world. Another goal is to make young tourists aware of food waste reduction and waste treatment. In addition, the project will promote the cruise destinations that are striving to achieve green local mobility and are connected to the local area in terms of cultural excellence and the production of local food and art. In this sense, ECO-CRUISING FU_TOUR claims for public and private cooperation to redefine the cruise destinations by involving all the institutions and businesses.
Over a thousand Top governmental and EU officials, high-level development partner institutions & businesses from Europe and Egypt will gather at the 2024 EU-Egypt Investment Conference, which will take place on June 29th and 30th at Al Manara International Conference Center in New Cairo (Egypt). The conference aims to attract both foreign and domestic investments, specifically exploring and facilitating investment partnerships between the European Union and Egypt in critical sectors contributing to economic development and sustainability.
Strengthening relationships between Shandong Port Group in China and Mediterranean ports
In the MedaLogistics Week Barcelona 2024 framework, Mr. Li Wucheng, Director and General Manager of Shandong Port Group released an insightful video highlighting the commitment to strengthening relationships with ports across the Mediterranean region. The Shandong Port Qingdao Port, recognized as one of the top 10 Ports in China for its outstanding performance, is eager to share its expertise and resources and create new alliances. In the video, Mr. Li Wucheng discusses the latest opportunities for collaboration, enhanced trade routes, and innovative strategies for a prosperous future. Let's work together for a brighter, more connected world! đ https://n9.cl/8dc95
Advancing towards a sustainable blue economy
in Morocco
On 5th June, ASCAME represented by some of its members in Morocco, participated in the 1st High-level national dialogue on the challenges for implementing a sustainable blue economy in Morocco. This meeting presided by the Department of Fisheries of Morocco, was held in Rabat (Morocco), in the framework of the WestMED initiative. ASCAME, as the main private sector representative in the Mediterranean, was invited by WestMED to participate in this event to include in this discussion the perspective of the Moroccan private sector represented by ASCAMEâs Chambers of Commerce.
GITEX AFRICA 2024: Discovering tech's massive advances across diverse industries
CGITEX Africa 2024, Africaâs largest tech & start-up event, took place from the 29th to the 31st in Marrakech (Morocco). This city became the epicenter of innovation, bringing together the brightest minds, start-ups, and tech enthusiasts. This was an excellent opportunity to discover techâs massive advances across diverse industries, from cloud and IOT, cybersecurity, digital health, and future finance, to consumer tech, telecoms, and the great hype of Artificial Intelligence. From mind-blowing tech demos to inspiring keynotes, attendees had the chance to explore the latest tech innovations and make the most of every moment. In addition, big deals were happening in the framework of GITEX Africa 2024, such as the partnership achieved between Orange and Amazon Cloud Services to drive digital innovation across the continent.
Empowering Mediterranean SMEs through Donor Funded Market Access
Countdown to the second webinar of ASCAME âEmpowering Mediterranean SMEs through Donor Funded Market Accessâ, that will take place on the 9th of July. On this occasion, we will count on the collaboration of our partner DevelopmentAid, which is the worldâs premier information for donors, agencies, consultancies, non-government agencies, and individuals working in the international development sector. Within this new webinar, we will have the participation of Mr. LuĂs Miranda, ASCAMEâs Project Manager, who will talk about the development market projects, and Ms. Mariana Uzun Bastron, Head of Strategic Partnerships and Donors Relations Department, who will present the DevelopmentAid Procurement & Recruitment Tools. ⶠRegister now! đ https://n9.cl/tncuq
