ASCAME President launches his term with bilateral calls
to Mediterranean Chambers
Dr. Josep Santacreu engages all Chambers in building the next strategic roadmap through a round of calls
This month, President Dr. Josep Santacreu held bilateral calls with Mediterranean Chambers to ensure their voices shape the new ASCAME strategic plan. According to him, “we need a shared vision to work on an achievable action plan, to ensure that our priorities are inclusive and truly reflect the voice of all our members”. The main objective of Dr. Santacreu is to listen to members’ proposals and shape their priorities through a shared, inclusive, and forward-looking process. Once he collects all their perspectives, Dr. Santacreu will convene a Bureau meeting in March in a virtual format to share their valuable contributions and debate the main topics. These meetings will be very valuable to prepare the strategic plan of ASCAME for the upcoming years, which will be focused on three main axes:
1️⃣ The new Pact for the Mediterranean was approved in 2025 by the European Commission to deepen cooperation and economic connectivity across the Mediterranean basin. The Pact represents a major opportunity for the Mediterranean private sector. At ASCAME, our ambition is to become the leading gateway for European projects benefiting the region’s business community.
2️⃣ Strengthening ASCAME as the key strategic platform of reference in the Mediterranean business community. ASCAME must secure its presence at the region’s leading business forums and beyond.
3️⃣ Maximizing the voice and impact of Mediterranean Chambers by fostering a stronger, united community.
Dr. Santacreu reinforces regional cooperation through high-level meetings with Syria, the Sultanate of Oman, Alexandria, and Algeria
Over the last month, ASCAME President has held several meetings, both in Barcelona and online, with leaders from Mediterranean Chambers and institutions to reinforce economic and institutional relations across the region
One of these meetings took place on 26 January with the Federation of Syrian Chambers of Commerce to explore new avenues of collaboration in the context of Syria’s gradual diplomatic reopening. Dr. Josep Santacreu held a virtual discussion with Mr. Alaa al Ali, President of the Federation of Syrian Chambers of Commerce; Mr. Mohammad Aiman Raslan, President of the Homs Chamber of Commerce; and Mr. Amer Homsi, Director of the Federation. During the meeting, Dr. Santacreu encouraged the reactivation of the Syrian Chambers of Commerce within ASCAME and extended an invitation to participate in the first Executive Committee meeting under the new presidency, scheduled for April in Egypt.
In addition, the ASCAME President welcomed two other high-level representatives in Barcelona. He met with Mr. Abdellah Seriai, President of the Spanish‑Algerian Business Forum, to discuss the current state of economic relations between Algeria, Spain, and the broader Mediterranean region. Mr. Seriai presented the forum as an institutional platform dedicated to strengthening and consolidating economic, trade, and investment ties between the two countries. Dr. Santacreu also received the Honorary Consul of Oman in Barcelona, Mr. Pablo Caralps, with whom he exchanged views on opportunities to enhance economic and institutional cooperation between the Mediterranean region and the Gulf.
📍 MEMBERS CORNER
Interview with Mr. Marko Čadež, President of the CCI
of Serbia: “Our country has become an attractive destination for investors, emerging as a production, logistics, and technology hub in Europe”
Amid geopolitical uncertainty, shifting trade dynamics, and rapid technological change, Serbia has positioned itself as one of the most dynamic business and investment destinations in the Euro-Mediterranean region. At the heart of this progress stands the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, representing nearly 140,000 domestic and international companies. As an active ASCAME member, the Chamber plays a pivotal role in strengthening Serbia’s global economic ties, supporting businesses through international disruptions, and shaping the country’s emergence as a regional hub for innovation, logistics, and the green transition.
In this interview, the Chamber’s President, Mr. Marko Čadež, reflects on the main challenges facing Serbian companies today, the Chamber’s efforts to help businesses navigate a changing global market, and the opportunities created by Serbia’s expanding network of free trade agreements. He also highlights the country’s growing appeal to foreign investors, its accelerating digital and AI transformation, and the strategic importance of regional cooperation in the Western Balkans. Mr. Čadež offers insights into Serbia’s preparations for Expo 2027, a landmark event expected to attract more than 130 countries and millions of visitors, and what international companies - including ASCAME members - can expect from this global business gathering..
on the ‘Euro-Mediterranean Economic & Business Forum 2025’
The report provides a concise overview of the Forum’s main discussions, thematic priorities, and strategic conclusions, offering a reference framework to foster continued engagement among stakeholders.
A central message was the need to move beyond intra-regional competition toward coordinated and complementary regional strategies, based on specialisation, value-chain alignment, and corridor- and cluster-based cooperation at the Euro-Mediterranean level. Competitiveness was seen as ecosystem-driven, with major gaps in scale-up and late-stage financing limiting growth. Participants stressed the catalytic role of public finance to de-risk investment, the need for stronger governance and predictable regulation, and the importance of skills - technical, managerial, and ESG related - for industrial transformation. Environmental standards were viewed as essential competitive drivers. SMEs and scale-ups were recognised as central to this transition but require tailored support, easier market access, and long-term policy stability.
Over the two days of the forum, the discussions reaffirmed a shared commitment to strengthening economic and social development across the Mediterranean region and to shaping a renewed vision for cooperation in light of current global and regional challenges.
Mr. Vassilis Korkidis, President of the Piraeus CCI and VP of ASCAME, highlights urgent priorities for Europe after the EU Leaders Summit in Belgium
In an opinion article published on ASCAME's blog, Mr. Korkidis shares insights on the challenges facing Europe's SMEs and the priorities needed to secure long-term prosperity.
Mr. Vassilis Korkidis, President of the Piraeus Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Vice President of ASCAME, reflects in ASCAME’s institutional blog on the outcomes of the recent EU leaders’ summit held on the 12th of February at the Alben Biesen Castle (Belgium), a moment he describes as "decisive for Europe’s sovereignty, security, and long‑term prosperity".
He stresses that "the future of Europe’s industrial base, its SMEs, and the credibility of Made in Europe depends on the decisions taken today". With 26.1 million industrial and craft enterprises providing 65% of Europe’s employment, SMEs remain the backbone of the European economy. In his opinion, "they continue to face major challenges, such as complex regulations, high energy costs, unfair competition, and limited access to finance".
Mr. Korkidis highlights the proposals of the SEV Hellenic Federation of Enterprises as a clear roadmap: trusting entrepreneurs, reducing bureaucracy, strengthening the Single Market, ensuring fair competition, improving energy resilience, and advancing digital sovereignty in a way that works for SMEs. To him, "these priorities reflect the needs not only of Greek businesses but of companies across the Mediterranean and the wider European ecosystem".
He concludes that Europe must urgently reinforce its industrial capacity, support domestic production, and create a more predictable and competitive environment if it wants to secure prosperity and strategic autonomy in an increasingly challenging global landscape.
Mr. Nebojsa Vraneš, Advisor at the Centre for Circular Economy of the CCI of Serbia: “Circularity
is an opportunity for competitiveness, resilience, and long-term development”
On 4 December, the partners of the RECIRCLE MED Project took part in the “Local Mobilisation Workshop and Western Balkans Forum”, held in Ohrid, North Macedonia. This event, co-organised by the RECIRCLE MED Project, in which ASCAME is one of the strategic partners, brought together key stakeholders from local authorities, academia, industry, and regional organisations across the Western Balkans. The forum served as a platform for reflecting on shared challenges, exchanging best practices, and collectively advancing innovative approaches to blue and circular tourism.
One of the central panels, “Western Balkans Challenges and Barriers toward Blue and Circular Tourism”, featured the participation of ASCAME member, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia. Mr. Nebojša Vraneš, Advisor at the Chamber’s Centre for Circular Economy, addressed these issues from a global circular economy perspective.
We interviewed Mr. Vraneš to delve into the most pressing challenges for blue and circular tourism, the current situation in the Balkans compared with other Mediterranean regions, and the impact of the RECIRCLE MED Project in promoting sustainable tourism along Mediterranean coastal areas.
ASCAME will participate in Euro-MED Sustainable Tourism Policy Labs under the Cyprus EU Presidency
ASCAME, as a partner of the D4T Project, will participate in the upcoming Sustainable Tourism Policy Labs (STPL) session, which will take place on the 19th of March in Limassol (Cyprus). The event is organised under the auspices of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union, within the framework of the Sustainable Tourism Mission of the Interreg Euro-MED Programme.
Since last year, the D4T Project has been implementing several STPLs across the Mediterranean region. These Labs aim to strengthen institutional capacity and improve coordination among public authorities and tourism stakeholders, fostering the mainstreaming of sustainable tourism and supporting meaningful policy transformation.
The session will begin with a theoretical segment reviewing selected case studies from the mainstreaming efforts of the Interreg Tourism Mission’s Thematic Projects, focusing on four key concepts: Tourism Governance, Climate Change, Tourism Innovation, and the Circular Economy in Tourism.
These concepts will guide a practical workshop in which participants will work in small groups on scenario-based exercises. Using the island of Cyprus as a case study, they will apply theoretical insights to co-design solutions, prioritise actions, and reflect on policy approaches that can enhance sustainable governance, support circular economy practices, and promote socio-economic development.
On 6 February, the President of ASCAME, Dr. Josep Santacreu, made an institutional visit to Alexandria (Egypt), during which he held several working meetings with representatives of the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce.
The purpose of the visit was to coordinate the priorities of his new presidency at the head of ASCAME, strengthen institutional relations with Egypt, and promote investment by Spanish and Catalan companies in the region.
During his stay, Dr. Santacreu met with Mr. Ahmed El Wakil, Vice President and Honorary President of ASCAME, and President of the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce and the Egyptian Federation of Chambers of Commerce, whom he recently succeeded as ASCAME President. The meeting underscored the continuity and reinforcement of cooperation between the two institutions.
MedaWeek 2026 will be hosted
in Cairo
The upcoming edition of MedaWeek, the Mediterranean Week of Economic Leaders, will take place in Cairo (Egypt) on 20-21 April, under the theme 'MedaWeek Egypt. Three Continents Economic Summit: Europe -Middle East - Africa'. Within the framework of this flagship Mediterranean economic platform, we will hold the first ASCAME Executive Committee meeting. ▶️ Please, contact us to confirm your attendance at MedaWeek Egypt 2026! 👉 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗮𝘁@𝗮𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗲.𝗼𝗿𝗴
New video from the SMAC Project launch event in Drama (Greece)
We are delighted to share a video that captures the launch of the SMAC Project (Sustainable Model for Accommodation MSMEs), held in January in the Greek city of Drama. 👉 https://n9.cl/l8x5lt
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