ASCAME spotlights Mediterranean Women Leading the Region’s Chambers of Commerce toward Inclusive Growth

For International Women’s Day, we feature the voices of women leaders from Mediterranean Chambers of Commerce who are driving progress toward gender equality in economic and social spheres

Across the Mediterranean, women are increasingly stepping into leadership roles and driving entrepreneurial innovation, yet significant disparities still mark their journey toward full and equitable economic empowerment. Structural barriers, such as restricted access to finance, underrepresentation in decision-making spaces, and deeply rooted social norms, continue to slow progress and limit the potential of countless women across the region.

ASCAME has drafted a report that explores the obstacles still limiting Mediterranean women’s access to leadership and entrepreneurial opportunities, while highlighting the initiatives championed by the region’s Chambers of Commerce to empower women and expand their presence in decision-making spaces. The analysis is grounded in the testimonies of women who serve on the decision-making bodies of these institutions and who are deeply committed to promoting gender equality in the economic and social spheres. Their perspectives offer an essential lens through which to understand the progress achieved, the obstacles that persist, and the transformative potential of inclusive leadership within the Mediterranean business ecosystem.

Strengthening Ties with Tunisia

Presidents discussed the priorities of the new Presidency and for Tunisia,

the regional context, the Mediterranean’s economic potential, and opportunities linked to the Mediterranean Pact. 

On February 20, ASCAME President Dr. Josep Santacreu welcomed a distinguished Tunisian delegation led by the President of the Tunis Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI Tunis), Mr. Mohamed Moncef Ben Jemaa, to the Llotja de Mar. The delegation was accompanied by the Honorary President of the CCI Tunis and former President of ASCAME (2002–2007), Mr. Jilani Ben Mbarek. During the meeting, the presidents exchanged views on the regional situation, the enormous potential of the Mediterranean for the business community, and the opportunities offered by the Mediterranean Pact.

As part of his mandate, President Santacreu is conducting a round of consultations with the members of the ASCAME Bureau, the highest decision-making body, which includes Tunisia, with the aim of strengthening institutional cohesion and jointly defining the Association’s strategic priorities. The CCI Tunis occupies a strategic place in the history of ASCAME, as it was one of the founding Chambers, together with the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce, the Marseille-Provence Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, which laid the foundations for the association 44 years ago.

📍 MEMBERS CORNER

Interview with Ms. Marina Rožić, General Secretary of the Croatian Chamber of Economy: “My priority is turning gender equality into a measurable business priority across Europe”

ASCAME’s member, the Croatian Chamber of Economy (CCE), has emerged as a leading institution in advancing women’s empowerment across the Mediterranean, championing initiatives that strengthen women’s leadership, visibility, and economic participation. Through sustained efforts to expand mentorship opportunities, deliver leadership-oriented training, and address the structural barriers that continue to limit women’s advancement, the CCE has become a reference point for Chambers across the Mediterranean seeking to accelerate gender equality in business. 

In this interview, Ms. Marina Rožić, General Secretary of the CCE, reflects on the state of women’s leadership in both public and private Mediterranean institutions. She underscores that “increasing women’s representation in decision-making roles is not only a matter of equality but a strategic imperative for Europe’s development”, highlighting the economic and social value of gender balanced leadership. Ms. Rožić also talks about several initiatives launched by the Chamber, from capacity building programmes for women entrepreneurs to efforts that foster gender balanced leadership pipelines, demonstrating a clear and coherent vision: empowering women is essential to strengthening the Mediterranean’s competitiveness, innovation, and long-term economic resilience.

ASCAME Meetings                                                             

ASCAME and Spain´s State Secretary for Trade explore Avenues of Strategic Collaboration

On 19 February, the ASCAME team met in Barcelona with Ms. Amparo López, Spain’s Secretary of State for Trade, to gain first-hand insight into the association’s mission, strategic priorities, and roadmap for the years ahead.

ASCAME continues to deepen its engagement with key stakeholders across the Mediterranean economic and business ecosystem, most recently through a meeting with Spain’s Secretary of State for Trade, Ms. Amparo López. The ASCAME delegation, led by Mr. Koussay Boulaich, Senior Diplomatic Adviser to the President of ASCAME, Dr. Josep Santacreu, and Ms. Andrea Mullerat, Corporate Development & Marketing Manager, provided a comprehensive overview of the association’s history, achievements, and its evolving strategic vision currently under development.

The meeting was also attended by Mr. Roger Guasch, Director General of the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce; Ms. Berta Pérez, Director of International Relations; and Ms. Patricia Jiménez Abiétar, Deputy Director of the Territorial Directorate for Trade in Barcelona at Spain’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Enterprise.

Participants engaged in a constructive exchange on the significant opportunities the Mediterranean region offers in trade, investment, and enhanced business cooperation. Particular emphasis was placed on ASCAME’s flagship sectoral forums, including Meditour (tourism), MedaLogistics (logistics and transport), MedaWomen (women entrepreneurs), and MedaWeek, as well as on the most recent high-level events held in Barcelona last November, such as the recent Euromediterranean Business Forum.

Spain’s Secretary of State for Trade expressed her willingness to explore avenues of collaboration with ASCAME through Spain’s extensive network of Economic and Commercial Offices across the Mediterranean region, with the aim of further strengthening economic ties and supporting business internationalization.

ASCAME reinforces

the Strategic Cooperation

with the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) and

the European Institute of

the Mediterranean (IEMed)

This month, the ASCAME team met with two leading Euro‑Mediterranean institutions to strengthen their strategic cooperation and explore new avenues for collaboration. On one hand, the meeting with the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) served to reactivate their longstanding strategic cooperation as key stakeholders supporting the Euro-Mediterranean partnership. During the meeting, the parties agreed to advance cooperation along three complementary lines of action:

1️⃣ Strengthen the exchange of information on forums and initiatives related to economic development taking place across the región.

2️⃣   Reactivate the joint development of sectoral reports on key areas of economic interest, following previous successful collaborations.

3️⃣   Explore new joint initiatives/projects through which ASCAME could facilitate stronger connections between the UfM and representatives of the Mediterranean private sector.

In addition, both institutions agreed to work towards the update and reactivation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the coming months, with the aim of further strengthening institutional cooperation and fostering new initiatives in support of Euro-Mediterranean economic development.

The meeting with the European Institute of the Mediterranean represented an opportunity to reaffirm their shared commitment to strengthening economic cooperation as a key driver of sustainable development across the Mediterranean region. This renewed commitment comes at a particularly relevant moment, in the context of the emerging Mediterranean Pact and under the presidency of Dr. Josep Santacreu.

During the meeting, ASCAME presented the strategic priorities currently being developed in close consultation with its network of Mediterranean Chambers of Commerce.  Both institutions expressed their willingness to co-organise the upcoming edition of the Euro-Mediterranean Business Forum, to be held this year in Piraeus (Greece).

ASCAME  Projects

ASCAME engages in Interreg NEXT MED Training in Madrid

to advance Financial and Strategic Project Implementation

ASCAME participated this month in the Interreg NEXT MED Training for Spanish Partners and Controllers, organised by the Interreg NEXT MED Programme, in collaboration with the Ministerio de Hacienda (the Spanish Ministry of Finance). Representing ASCAME, the Area Project Manager, Ms. Estela Delgado, attended this important session held in Madrid within the framework of the SMAC Project, an Interreg NEXT MED initiative in which ASCAME is a strategic partner.

The training focused on strengthening key aspects of financial management to ensure rigorous, transparent, and fully compliant implementation of Interreg projects. The agenda covered essential topics such as: 

✔️  Financial management and eligible costs 

✔️  Reporting procedures
✔️ Control system of the Directorate‑General for European Funds 
✔️ Common financial implementation errors 
✔️ Key aspects of public procurement 
✔️ Second‑level controls 
✔️ Strategic use of the JEMS tool 
✔️ Communication strategies

ASCAME’s participation reflects its strong commitment within the SMAC Project to enhancing its capacities in financial management, control, and regulatory compliance. These initiatives are essential to ensuring efficient and strategic implementation of European projects, supported by the Branch Office for the Western Mediterranean in Valencia, represented by Mr. Vincent Ernoux and Mr. Alejandro Lafarga Martinez.

RECIRCLE MED Project  and Associated Partners meet to drive a Blue and Circular Transition in Mediterranean Tourism

ASCAME, as a partner of the RECIRCLE MED Project, under the Interreg Euro‑MED Programme, took part in the second meeting of the associated partners, held online in February.

With partners from 7 MED countries (5 EU countries, Greece, Italy, Spain, Malta, Bulgaria, and 2 IPA countries, North Macedonia, Montenegro), the RECIRCLE MED Project invited its 13 associated partners from more than 11 MED countries from North and South Mediterranean countries. Among them were two associated partners from ASCAME: the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia and the Chambre de Commerce d'Industrie et de Services Tanger- Tétouan- Al Hoceima (Morocco).

This meeting between project partners and associated partners had a great strategic value, as it made it possible to share the main advances of the RECIRCLE MED Project. By integrating blue economy and circular principles, the project aims to promote a knowledge‑transfer process through the development of local action plans that will support the transition toward a more inclusive and sustainable tourism model. With this overall goal in mind, the meeting was the occasion to:

✅ Present and reflect on the first outcomes of the 'Mobilization Workshops' held in Cefalù (Italy), Pomorie (Bulgaria), and Ohrid (North Macedonia). These workshops helped increase awareness of the project, engagement, and strengthen stakeholder demonstrate that the initial blueprints of the local Blue Plans are becoming a valuable tool for dialogue and co-creation.

✅ Advance the planning of upcoming steps, including the capacity‑building workshops scheduled to take place between May and September.

ASCAME News & Events

PAM Marrakesh Event Postponed to June

The 4th PAM Marrakesh Economic Parliamentary Forum for the Euro-Mediterranean and Gulf Regions, initially scheduled for 27–28 March, has been postponed to 19-20 June due to escalating military tensions in the Middle East and Gulf countries. The event, organized by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM) and the House of Councilors of the Kingdom of Morocco,  in partnership with the World Bank & IMF, will count on ASCAME President, Dr. Joserp Santacreu,  who will participate with a keynote address and as a panelist in the session SMEs and Start-Ups as a Driver for Innovation and Youth Employment.  

➡️ Register now! 👉 https://n9.cl/a1fhrk

Tender Resolution SMAC Project: External Audit Services

ASCAME is to inform that the General Secretariat has made the decision to award the contract for the provision of external audit service concerning ASCAME’s expenditure and revenue verification on the audit of the project “SMAC. Sustainability Model for Accommodation MSMEs”.  A deliberation table has been set up on 26h February 2026, to evaluate the offers received in accordance with the tender conditions launched by ASCAME. The award criteria for this contract were as detailed in the Invitation to Tender document. The experience element made up 20% of the total score, the technical capacity other 20%, the certified level of English the 10% and the price element 50% of the total score.

➡️ More info! 👉  https://n9.cl/kc9t8

CCITUnis, Institutional Partner

of IFSA Africa 2026, the Leading Exhibition for the Agri-food Sector in Africa

The Tunis Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCITunis) is an institutional partner of IFSA Africa 2026, the international food show for Africa taking place from June 9 to 11 at the Kram Exhibition Center in Tunis (Tunisia), under the auspices of the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy and the Ministry of Trade and Export Development. IFSA Africa is now one of the leading professional exhibitions for the agri‑food sector in Africa.

In alignment with its support to international trade and business development, the CCITunis calls to all the Mediterranean Chambers to take part in this event as a strategic opportunity to:

✅  Organize a national pavilion or institutional presence in agri‑food and related industries.
✅ Showcase national agri‑food products, innovations, and export capabilities to African and international buyers.
✅ Take part in an institutional or economic conference session.
✅ Strengthen trade partnerships within the AfCFTA framework.
✅ Foster new opportunities for investment, distribution, and inter-chamber cooperation.

Alongside IFSA Africa 2026, CCITunis will also host the Pan‑African and International Chambers of Commerce Congress, under the theme “Accelerating Agro‑Food Transformation in Africa: Processes, Innovation, Technologies & Logistics for Sustainable Competitiveness”.

➡️ For further information, please contact the Chamber’s General Secretary at: dir.promocom@ccit.com.tn

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