ASCAME at the AfricaMed Business Forum

Co-organised with KARDEV,  the summit aimed to promote sports as

a strategic driver of Africa's economic transformation and to strengthen cooperation between Europe, Africa, and the Mediterranean

On 16 and 17 January, ASCAME, together with its partner KARDEV, co-organised the 3rd edition of the AfricaMed Business Forum under the theme “The African Sports Industry – Beyond the Game, Build the Economy”. The summit took place in Casablanca (Morocco), in the framework of the African Cup of Nations (CAN26) and the upcoming 2030 World Cup, which will take place across three Mediterranean countries: Morocco, Portugal & Spain. The edition pursued two strategic objectives. First, to promote sports as a fully productive economic sector, extending its impact beyond events and athletic performance. Second, to reinforce economic and strategic cooperation between Europe, the Mediterranean, and Africa.

Entirely dedicated to the development and structuring of the sports industry in Africa, the forum centered on the theme “From 0.5% to 5% of GDP: the Decade of the African Sports Industry”. This guiding thread shaped two days of high-level discussions that brought together public officials, business leaders, investors, sports representatives, and industry experts. Participants unanimously emphasised the need to reposition sport as a key industrial sector, capable of driving economic growth, creating jobs, fostering innovation, and promoting continental integration.

Strengthening Mediterranean cooperation at the Greece–Algeria Business Forum held in Athens

The summit featured Mr. Vassilis Korkidis, President of the Piraeus Chamber

of Commerce and Industry and Vice President of ASCAME, who stressed

the potential to strengthen bilateral economic relations 

The Greece – Algeria Business Forum, held in Athens this month, brought together government officials, business leaders, and major economic institutions from both countries to deepen bilateral cooperation and explore new investment opportunities. Among the key participants was Mr. Vassilis Korkidis, who attended on behalf of ASCAME and the Piraeus Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He played a central role in the discussions, representing the Greek private sector and fostering constructive dialogue with Algerian counterparts.

In his welcome address, Mr. Korkidis highlighted the forum as an important milestone in advancing economic collaboration between Greece and Algeria. He noted that “trade and investment relations between both countries continue to grow, offering significant opportunities across key sectors of mutual interest”. He also underlined that “logistics, transport, and maritime connectivity play a strategic role in this dynamic,” emphasising that “the Port of Piraeus, as one of the largest ports in the Mediterranean and a major logistics and distribution hub, serves as a natural gateway linking Europe with the wider Mediterranean, North Africa, and beyond”.

Mr. Korkidis further stressed that this strategic role is fully aligned with ASCAME’s mission to strengthen economic cooperation and connectivity across the Mediterranean, promoting synergies between ports, logistics networks, and business communities on both shores of the region.

ASCAME, represented at the Syrian Egyptian Economic Forum

The Vice President of ASCAME, Mr. Ahmed El Wakil, participated in this high-level economic forum, chaired by the Interim Syrian President, Mr. Ahmed

Al-Sharaa, in Damascus

This month, the Vice President of ASCAME and President of the Federation of Egyptian Chambers of Commerce (FEDCOC), Mr. Ahmed El Wakil, participated in the Syrian Egyptian Economic Forum,  chaired by the Interim Syrian President, Mr. Ahmed Al-Sharaa. The meeting, held in Damascus, brought together public and private institutions as well as investors from both countries to explore new avenues for economic cooperation and investment. It was the first major joint economic event since 2011, signalling a renewed phase of cooperation after years of political and economic stagnation.

This high‑level economic forum marked an important step toward restoring and expanding bilateral cooperation between Syria and Egypt. Its key objectives included revitalising trade and investment ties, facilitating joint projects in strategic sectors, positioning Egyptian companies as priority partners in Syria’s reconstruction, and strengthening regional economic integration with improved access to African and European markets.

Mr. Ahmed El Wakil underscored the human dimension of this renewed engagement, stating that “Syria and Egypt are one people” and emphasising the Egyptian private sector’s readiness to share its expertise in infrastructure and industry with its northern neighbour.

📍 MEMBERS CORNER

Interview with Mr. Muamer Mahmutović, President

of the Chamber of Economy of Sarajevo Canton:

“The main challenge ahead is Bosnia and Herzegovina’s accession to the EU, which will bring both opportunities and risks for the companies”

At a time when Bosnia and Herzegovina is moving closer to the European Union and the Mediterranean region is entering a new phase of cooperation, Mr. Muamer Mahmutović, President of the Chamber of Economy of Sarajevo Canton, shares his vision for the Canton’s economic transformation.

In the following interview, Mr. Mahmutović provides a comprehensive overview of the opportunities and challenges that will shape the Canton’s economic future. He reflects on the Chamber’s strategic priorities, from preparing companies for EU accession and strengthening key industrial sectors to the introduction of the Vocational Education and Training (VET) system in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Mr. Mahmutović also highlights the growing importance of deeper cooperation between Europe, the Balkans, and the wider Mediterranean. For him, this is not simply a matter of economic exchange, but a strategic necessity at a time when global fragmentation, supply chain shifts, and geopolitical tensions are reshaping regional dynamics. He highlights how Mediterranean Chambers of Commerce can act as bridges, facilitating dialogue, aligning standards, promoting mobility of skills, and supporting joint initiatives that strengthen competitiveness on both shores.

ASCAME Insights                                                               ASCAME  Projects 

Mr. Anwar Zibaoui (ASCAME) analyses in 'Expansión' the current crisis in Iran, from both economic and geopolitical perspectives

The  General Coordinator of ASCAME stresses the need for a thorough review of the economic, political, social, and security agenda to prevent the current deterioration from becoming permanent.

In a recent opinion article published in Expansión, Mr. Anwar Zibaoui, General Coordinator of ASCAME, points out that the present situation in Iran is the outcome of years in which the economy was treated as a secondary concern, sustained by a repressive security apparatus. In his view, “this approach has led to accelerated deterioration, with runaway inflation, a severe currency devaluation, rising poverty, widespread corruption, and the near‑disappearance of the middle class”.

He also notes that “international sanctions have strangled Iran’s economy, paralysed productive sectors, and reduced military spending.” Added to this are "escalating tensions with the United States and Israel, which fuel uncertainty and provide the regime with a pretext to avoid undertaking internal reforms".

Mr. Zibaoui warns that Iran is facing a “perfect storm”: sanctions, regional conflicts, economic collapse, capital flight, and a political system that reacts only to ensure its own survival, without addressing the root causes. Even if the regime manages to withstand current pressures, he highlights that "a profound overhaul of the country’s economic, political, social, and security agenda will be essential to prevent the deterioration from becoming permanent".

ASCAME joins the launch of the new SMAC Project (Sustainable Model for Accommodation MSMEs)  in the Greek city

of Drama to drive sustainable tourism

We are delighted to announce the launch of a new project in which ASCAME is actively participating: the Sustainable Model for Accommodation MSMEs (SMAC Project). This initiative responds to the need to use innovation to enhance sustainability in the tourism sector by supporting accommodation MSMEs, which often face limited technical capacities to implement sustainability.

The project officially kicked off on January 20 in the Greek city of Drama, during an event hosted by the lead partner, the Drama Chamber of Commerce and Industry. ASCAME had the chance to participate in the official meeting offered by Mr. Stefano Georgiadis, President of the Drama CCI and Lead Beneficiary of the SMAC Project, to all the partners of the project. The meeting was the occasion for discussing the project’s objectives and to further strengthen ties of friendship and cooperation across the Mediterranean, with partners from Tunisia, Egypt, Turkey, Spain, and Greece.

In addition to ASCAME’s participation as a partner, the SMAC project benefits from the strong involvement of several ASCAME members, including the Chamber of Commerce of Alexandria, the Confederation of Egyptian European Business Associations - CEEBA, and the Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie de Tunis, as well as associated partners such as the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia. The meeting,  therefore, reaffirmed our commitment to Mediterranean cooperation and our shared determination to work together to foster innovation for a more competitive and sustainable MED tourism sector.

ASCAME  Partnerships

ASCAME unlocks new tender opportunities for its members through the partnership with DevelopmentAid

As a result of ASCAME’s partnership with Development Aid, a leading information provider for the development and donor-funded sectors, we will give all our members privileged access to TenderWell, a DevelopmentAid’s specialised platform for government and development tenders. This collaboration is designed to help Mediterranean businesses and institutions better identify opportunities, compete for international contracts, and position themselves in a rapidly evolving global aid market.

In a context where government and donor-funded tenders are increasingly competitive and data-driven, access to accurate, timely information is critical. Through DevelopmentAid and its TenderWell platform, organisations can monitor tenders worldwide, analyse procurement trends, and connect with potential partners.

ASCAME members will now benefit from three exclusive advantages under this partnership: 

✔️ One month of free access to TenderWell. This trial period will allow members to: track government and donor-funded tenders in real time, set up customised alerts by country, sector, or donor, identify relevant opportunities aligned with their expertise, and explore new markets across the Mediterranean and beyond.

✔️ One month of free access to DevelopmentAid for new users. This includes: comprehensive tender and grant databases, donor and funding agency profiles, organisations and expert directories, and market intelligence and funding forecasts. This benefit is particularly relevant for institutions aiming to enter or scale up in the development and aid sector.

✔️ 10% discount on TenderWell membership. This ensures that, beyond the initial month, members can continue to benefit from high-quality tender intelligence and monitoring tools at a preferential rate, supporting long-term strategic positioning in international markets.

ASCAME welcomes Escola Europea - Intermodal Transport as a new associate member

At the end of 2025, ASCAME welcomed the Escola Europea – Intermodal Transport as a new associate member. The centre is a leading reference in intermodal transport and logistics, offering a wide range of innovative training programmes that combine simulation with real operational scenarios. It is firmly committed to promoting intermodality as a cornerstone for developing sustainable logistics within European transport systems.

We interviewed its Founder and Director, Mr. Eduard Rodés, to explore the benefits of this partnership and the impact of developing talent with a truly intermodal perspective – enabling Mediterranean countries to unlock the value of their infrastructure, ensure more efficient operations, and strengthen cooperation and competitiveness across the region. According to him, both institutions share the same commitment to promoting Mediterranean integration, competitiveness and sustainable development.

Mr. Rodés also highlights that logistics communities across the Mediterranean share common priorities – efficiency, sustainability, digitalisation and skilled human resources – despite diverse local contexts. He emphasises that logistics is a key driver of Euro-Mediterranean integration, connecting markets, cultures and people.

In addition, he refers to the launch of the Open Trade Med, a project promoted by Escola Europea - Intermodal Transport, along with Port de Barcelona – ASCAME's partner – and Serport, to provide high-quality training to professionals and students in logistics and maritime transport in the Mediterranean region. This initiative, which counts on the support of ASCAME, involves the ports of Barcelona, Algiers and Tripoli, and it will be extended to other ports in Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Jordan, Mauritania, Palestine and Morocco.

ASCAME News & Events

The RECIRCLE MED Project has launched its first podcast episode, now streaming on Spotify

The Mediterranean is ready for a new tourism model – more circular, innovative and sustainable. The RECIRCLE MED Project is showing the way, and ASCAME is committed to amplifying its impact across our member Chambers and territories. You can dive deeper into this impact in our latest podcast episode, where we explore how circular tourism can transform the region. This inaugural episode featured Ms. Andrea Mullerat, ASCAME's Corporate Development & Marketing Manager, and Ms. Estela Delgado, ASCAME's Projects & International Cooperation Area Manager. 

🎧 Now available on Spotify! 👉 https://lnkd.in/dGYJGJXh.

ASCAME, strategic partner

of GISEC Global 2026

ASCAME is proud to be a strategic partner of GISEC GLOBAL 2026, the Middle East & Africa’s largest and most influential cybersecurity event, taking place from 5–7 May in  Dubai (UAE). For three dynamic days, global CISOs, government leaders, technology buyers, and ethical hackers will convene to explore innovation, exchange strategies, and engage in live cyber drills. The event will welcome over 25.000 cybersecurity professionals from more than 180 countries, offering a world-class platform to discover the latest cutting-edge technologies, forge high-value partnerships, and gain insights from visionary leaders shaping the future of cybersecurity.

▶️ Contact us to attend this summit and benefit from an exclusive 20% discount code! 👉  𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗮𝘁@𝗮𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗲.𝗼𝗿𝗴 

LET Expo 2026 set to gather

the logistics industry in Verona

The Italian city of Verona will host LET Expo 2026, the leading international trade fair for transport, logistics, and business services, from March 10 to 13, integrating innovation, sustainability, and institutional cooperation. The event, organized by ALIS Service in collaboration with Veronafiere, has the main objectives of promoting the development of sustainable transport and logistics in Europe and the Mediterranean region, encouraging innovative services for businesses—with a special focus on environmental, economic, and social sustainability—and creating a meeting space for companies, institutions, associations, and young talent, combining training, employment, and networking. The fair is aimed at all industry professionals, as well as business associations and Chambers of Commerce in the Mediterranean. 

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