ASCAME holds its First Executive Committee Meeting of 2026
in Marseille
The meeting, hosted by the CCI Marseille‑Provence in April, brought together 14 member Chambers and underscored both the strength of their shared vision and the value of collaboration across the Mediterranean.
On April 21, ASCAME held its first Executive Committee meeting of 2026 under the presidency of Dr. Josep Santacreu. The meeting took place in Marseille (France), at the Palais de la Bourse of the Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie Marseille-Provence and saw strong participation from members: 14 of the 18 Committee members attended, either in person or online. Represented countries included Albania (Tirana), Algeria (Algiers), France (Marseille), Greece (Piraeus), Italy (Cagliari), Jordan (Amman), Lebanon (Beirut), Montenegro, Morocco (Tangier), Serbia, Tunisia (Tunis), Turkey (Istanbul), and Spain (Barcelona). The gathering marked Algeria’s return to ASCAME and its continued presence on the organization’s Bureau.
The Executive Committee unanimously adopted the new strategic guidelines that will steer ASCAME’s work over the next two years: positioning ASCAME as the natural interlocutor for the Mediterranean Pact, consolidating ASCAME's role as the leading business platform in the region, and maximising the added value for member Chambers. The meeting also provided an opportunity to highlight the major events of the ASCAME community, such as Meditour Agadir 2026 on 10-11 June in Agadir (Morocco) and the Euro-Mediterranean Economic and Business Summit in November in Piraeus (Greece).
In the framework of the Executive Committee, the CCI of Marseille‑Provence and the Piraeus Chamber of Commerce and Industry signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation between both institutions. The agreement covers several areas, including the exchange of knowledge, information, and best practices; the promotion of research, training, and development programmes; and the exploration of future collaborations in related fields.
ASCAME Meeting with the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) Rapporteur on the Pact for the Mediterranean
Mr. Thomas Wagnsonner, Member of the EESC and Rapporteur of the recently adopted Opinion on the Pact for the Mediterranean, met with the ASCAME's community to discuss the Opinion and its implications for the private sector.
On 13 May, Mr. Vassilis Korkidis, President of the Piraeus Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Vice President of ASCAME, speaking on behalf of Dr. Josep Santacreu, President of ASCAME, held an important meeting with Mr. Thomas Wagnsonner, Rapporteur of the European Economic and Social Committee, to discuss the Opinion of the Pact for the MediterraneanThe Role of the Private Sector and Civil Society in Strengthening Economic Cooperation within the Pact.
Mr. Korkidis stressed the importance of including ASCAME in the design and implementation of the Mediterranean Pact, positioning it as a natural interlocutor for the private sector and a key bridge between the European Union and economic actors on the ground. He underlined the essential contribution of business communities, Chambers of Commerce, social partners, and civil society in shaping the Pact’s future direction. He added: “The private sector is indispensable for investment, job creation, innovation, and the green and digital transitions. Chambers of Commerce act as institutional bridges, strengthening cooperation between Mediterranean economies. Deeper regional cooperation can help reduce migration pressures, brain drain, unemployment, and investment gaps”.
Interview with Mr. Nikolin Jaka, President of the Tirana Chamber of Commerce and Industry: “The Pact for the Mediterranean is a historic chance to build a new Euro-Mediterranean economic space”
Last April, ASCAME President Dr. Josep Sanacreu held an online meeting with Ms. Albana Laknori, Secretary General of the Tirana Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIT), to explore how ASCAME can support Albanian enterprises in aligning with EU legislation and expanding their regional presence. Shortly afterward, during a meeting in Barcelona with Prime Minister Edi Rama, Dr. Santacreu reiterated ASCAME’s interest in understanding Albania’s priorities for foreign investment and economic development. These topics were further discussed with Mr. Loritan Persa, Vice President of the Chamber, during the most recent ASCAME Executive Committee meeting held in Marseille (France).
To further deepen this dialogue and highlight the strong relationship between ASCAME and CCIT, we spoke with Mr. Nikolin Jaka, President of the Tirana Chamber of Commerce and Industry. In our conversation, he reflected on the Chamber’s mission, the growing synergies between Albanian and Catalan companies – from manufacturing and logistics to tourism, green energy, and agro industry – and the strategic importance of the Pact for the Mediterranean, where he sees the private sector playing a decisive role in driving regional integration, investment, and connectivity.
The forum opened with a keynote address by Dr. Josep Santacreu, President of ASCAME, who underlined Algeria’s growing strategic relevance for Spain, the Mediterranean region, and the African continent: "Algeria is among the North African economies with the strongest growth potential, and its significant energy resources position it as a key partner for the development of gas and oil in many Mediterranean countries, particularly Spain”. Dr. Santacreu also stressed that “the country is advancing major plans for modernisation, industrialisation, and openness to foreign and Spanish investment”.
Panelists highlighted “the shift in the country’s growth model, from an economy centred on hydrocarbons to a more industrialised one, which will attract greater foreign investment in the coming years”. According to them, "Algeria’s priority is to generate domestic wealth by promoting local industry and foreign direct investment”. They also emphasised that “successfully entering the Algerian market requires local partners who can provide cultural, regulatory, and financial guidance, along with a long-term strategic vision”.
Mr. Vassilis Korkidis, President of the Piraeus CCI and VP of ASCAME, reflects on the urgent need to address the Mediterranean's growing human capital gap
Mr. Vassilis Korkidis, President of the Piraeus Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Vice President of ASCAME, participated in the Euro-Mediterranean Conference – ANIMA 20th Anniversary International Symposium, held in Athens (Greece) on 22-24 April as part of ANIMA’s year-long 20th anniversary program. The summit, focused on shaping a shared economic roadmap for the region through 2036, included a dedicated panel on Mediterranean value chains & economic alliances.
Based on his contribution to the symposium, Mr. Korkidis underscores in an interview published on ASCAME's blog that the Mediterranean’s human‑capital challenge lies less in a shortage of skills and more in a systemic failure to harness them effectively. He points to mismatches between education and labour market needs, slow adaptation to technology, and persistent brain drain.
Mr. Korkidis also warns that without deep reforms, the region risks remaining stuck in low-value economic models over the next decade. He argues that “brain circulation” is possible but not yet a reality, and that Europe’s role should be supportive but not paternalistic. In his opinion, Chambers of Commerce can play a catalytic role by creating cross-border skill frameworks, training programmes, and real-time labour market bridges.
ASCAME hosts the SMAC Steering Committee in Barcelona
On May 11-12, ASCAME hosted the SMAC Project Steering Committee in Barcelona, gathering all the partners’ projects coming from Greece, Egypt, Spain, Tunisia, and Türkiye. The Sustainability Model for Accommodation MSMEs (SMAC) Project, which is led by the Drama Chamber of Commerce and Industry, tackles the urgent need for sustainability in the tourism sector by supporting accommodation MSMEs, many of which lack the digital tools and expertise needed to adopt greener practices.
On the first day, partners talked about the project's main mission -making sustainable tourism tangible, pragmatic, and inclusive, ensuring no small accommodation business is left behind in the green transition- and the two key tools to support this mission: the Simplified Sustainability Model for Accommodation (SSMA) and an Artificial Intelligence Recommendation Tool (AIRET).
On the second day, partners shared updates on completed and upcoming activities. They exchanged valuable insights on how the project will support the urgent transition of micro and small accommodation enterprises toward sustainable practices.
One year of RECIRCLE MED: Advancing Blue and Circular Tourism in the Mediterranean
The first year of the RECIRCLE MED Project marks a significant step forward in supporting Mediterranean coastal destinations as they transition toward a blue and circular tourism model. As one of the project’s strategic partners, ASCAME has actively contributed to strengthening cooperation between public and private actors, promoting sustainable tourism solutions, and amplifying the project’s visibility across the region.
Over the past twelve months, RECIRCLE MED has built a solid foundation for its 27‑month journey. Key milestones included the kick‑off meeting in Volos (Greece)and the second steering committee meeting in Ohrid (North Macedonia), where partners aligned on objectives and developed the RECIRCLE MED Blueprint, a practical tool guiding destinations in designing their blue action plans.
Local mobilisation workshops in Cefalù (Italy), Ohrid (North Macedonia), Pomorie (Bulgaria), and Bar (Montenegro) engaged stakeholders in adapting the Blueprint to local needs, while the Mobilisation Forum in Ohrid expanded dialogue across the Western Balkans. The project also launched its podcast series, RECIRCLE MED Talks, and participated in major Euro‑MED events to strengthen synergies.
Public outreach efforts, such as the Għajn Open Weekend in Malta, helped raise awareness of circular tourism among hundreds of visitors. Entering its second year, ASCAME remains committed to supporting innovation, collaboration, and sustainable tourism development throughout the Mediterranean.
ASCAME News & Events
Countdown to Medalogistics
Medalogistics, the leading Mediterranean summit on logistics, transport, and supply chain, will bring together companies, experts, and influential figures from the sector to delve into the industry's present and future and boost regional and global trade. The summit will be held on the 3rd of June at Fira de Barcelona, within the framework of SIL Barcelona, in collaboration with the Consorci de la Zona Franca de Barcelona. This year's edition will feature three sessions:
✅ Panel 1: Goods and Strategic Connectivity in the Mediterranean.
✅ Panel 2: Talent, Innovation, and Digitalisation in the Mediterranean.
✅ Roundtable: Building a More Competitive Mediterranean Logistics Ecosystem
ASCAME will take part in the 4th PAM Marrakesh Economic Forum for the Euro Mediterranean and Gulf Regions, to be held in Marrakesh on 19–20 June 2026. ASCAME President Dr. Josep Santacreu will deliver a high-level keynote in the session “SMEs and Start-ups as a Driver of Innovation and Youth Employment”, where he will talk about ASCAME’s role in mobilising the private sector and fostering deeper regional integration.
Organized by ASCAME's partner, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean and the House of Councilors of Morocco, the 2026 Forum will focus on AI and technological innovation, job creation, global debt, climate change, and food security, underscoring the crucial role of parliamentarians in addressing these challenges.
Postponement of the B2B
on Green Energy in Istanbul
Following consultations with the organising partners and participating stakeholders, we inform you that the B2B on Green Energy, co-organised with the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce and initially scheduled for 10–11 June in Istanbul, has been postponed. This decision has been taken to ensure broader participation and maximise the quality and impact of the business opportunities and exchanges during the event.
The event is provisionally expected to take place during the first week of December 2026. Further details regarding the exact dates, updated agenda, and organisational aspects will be shared in due course. We sincerely thank you for your understanding, continued support, and commitment to the initiative.
ASCAME meets with the Consular Corps at Llotja de Mar
Dr. Josep Santacreu, President of ASCAME, met with the Consular Corps in May at the Llotja de Mar, highlighting the shared commitment to “strengthening economic integration and fostering a more prosperous and stable Mediterranean region”. He underlined the Chambers’ role in supporting businesses amid global challenges and thanked the Consular Corps for their contribution to economic and diplomatic relations.
Before the event, several consuls held a meeting with representatives of ASCAME, including the General Coordinator, Ms. Miriam González, who presented the organisation and its activities, the Secretary General of the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Xavier Coronas, Ms. Berta Perez and Ms. Ona Muñoz; as well as representatives of the Council of Catalan Chambers, to gain first-hand insight into their work and initiatives.
CCI Tunis, institutional partner
of IFSA Africa 2026, a leading trade show in the agri-food
sector in Africa
ASCAME's member, the Tunis Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCITunis), is an institutional partner of IFSA Africa 2026, a leading trade shows in the agri-food sector in Africa., which will take place from June 9 to 11 at the Kram Exhibition Center in Tunis (Tunisia), under the patronage of the Ministry of Industry, Mines, and Energy and the Ministry of Trade and Export Development. The CCITunis invites Mediterranean Chambers to participate in this major agri‑food event to showcase national products, join institutional or economic sessions, and strengthen business partnerships within the AfCFTA framework.
➡️ For further information, please contact the Secretary General of the Chamber at the following address: dir.promocom@ccit.com.tn
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