Countdown to MedaCity 2025 in Cagliari 

Mediterranean cities will converge in Cagliari on September 19 for MedaCity 2025 to address shared urban challenges

After successful editions in key Mediterranean cities such as Barcelona (Spain), Marseille (France), and Alexandria (Egypt), MedaCity2025, the Mediterranean Cities Economic Forum,  will take place this year in Cagliari (Sardinia, Italy) on September 19, at the Congress Centre – Cagliari Fair. This flagship ASCAME event, organised by the Chamber of Commerce of Cagliari-Oristano and the Municipality of Cagliari, with the support of ASCAME and Unioncamere, stands as the leading summit for fostering economic cooperation, urban innovation, and sustainable development among Mediterranean cities.

MedaCity 2025 has been designed around three core objectives. Firstly, addressing urban challenges in the Mediterranean, such as green transition, sustainable mobility, affordable housing, digital transformation, and social inclusion. To inspire action and exchange, the forum will showcase successful case studies and pioneering practices from cities including Barcelona, Marseille, Beirut, Tangier, Valencia, Mersin, and, of course, Cagliari. Secondly, MedaCity 2025 will bring together experts from across sectors and countries to explore the vital role of cities as engines of sustainable development, economic opportunity, social cohesion, and peace in the Mediterranean. Thirdly, MedaCity 2025 will serve as a strategic platform for building partnerships among Mediterranean cities, businesses, and institutions. 

MedaCity 2025 will also highlight the leading role of the Mediterranean Chambers of Commerce as key players in Euro-Mediterranean cooperation, building on the solid partnership between ASCAME and the Cagliari-Oristano Chamber of Commerce, which has been actively involved in managing and promoting numerous European projects.

ASCAME and UNIDO unite to boost the orange economy across

the Mediterranean region

The representatives from both institutions met in Barcelona to explore collaboration opportunities in supporting the Mediterranean creative economy

In July, Mr. Anwar Zibaoui, ASCAME's General Coordinator, and Dr. Hashim Hussein, Head of UNIDO's Investment and Technology Promotion Office - ITPO Bahrain - met in Barcelona to drive a strategic agreement between the two institutions. The agreement outlines several key areas of action, including the following:

✅ 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗲𝗮𝗻: The agreement contemplates the creation of centers for entrepreneurship, start-ups and incubators at the headquarters of the Mediterranean Chambers of Commerce, following the example of those existing in the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce (Egypt) and the Casablanca Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Morocco). The agreement also includes working closely with multilateral banks to support financing initiatives for startups and SMEs, as well as launching new actions to promote women’s entrepreneurship across the Mediterranean.

✅ 𝗙𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻, in collaboration with multilateral organizations and associations representing the sector in Europe. The main objective is to create specific promotion, training, and financing programs.

✅ 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗦𝗠𝗘𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 through financing programs and advice and consultancy on the impact of digitization on their competitiveness and long-term stability.

✅ 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝘆, especially organic agriculture, through events and joint projects with different sectors and industries in the region.

MedCat Days 2025 commemorates 30 years of the Barcelona Process and Mediterranean cooperation

The event looks ahead to the upcoming European Union's Pact for the Mediterranean, set to launch in October

This month, Barcelona hosted a landmark edition of MedCat Days, an initiative led by the Generalitat de Catalunya and the European Institute of the Mediterranean (IEMed), in partnership with the Alliance for Mediterranean Cooperation. The event marked the 30th anniversary of the Barcelona Process and looked ahead to the upcoming European Union's Pact for the Mediterranean, set to launch this October.

Mr. Josep Santacreu, Vice President of ASCAME and President of Cambra de Comerç de Barcelona, and Mr. Anwar Zibaoui, ASCAME’s General Coordinator, took part in the opening session, which also featured several institutional representatives, including Ms. Dubravka Šuica, European Commission Vice-President and Commissioner for the Mediterranean. Ms. Šuica shared the following reflection: "Now is a pivotal moment for Mediterranean relations. Despite the challenges, there are real opportunities. The new Pact of the Mediterranean must foster shared prosperity with people at the center. Security, partnerships, and sustainable growth require the active involvement of the Mediterranean Chambers of Commerce and also the private sector”.

In addition, MedCat Days featured the session titled 'Budget and Governance: New ways to Finance Future Priorities in the Mediterranean', which counted on the participation of ASCAME's partners PRIMA Program and the Interreg NEXT MED Programme. Both programmes are actively promoting sustainable development in the Mediterranean. PRIMA has a specific thematic area on water management for arid and semi-arid Mediterranean areas, which encompasses four axes: water resources availability and quality within catchments and aquifers, sustainable integrated water management, irrigation technologies and practices, and the use of alternative water resources.  Interreg NEXT MED Programme’s mission is to foster transnational cooperation across the Mediterranean by strengthening key areas, such as environmental sustainability, economic development, education and social inclusion, and multi-level governance.

📍 MEMBERS CORNER

Interview with Mr. Habib Hammami, President of the CCI of Sfax: “The Mediterranean is an area of economic and cultural convergence, not a border”

As a committed member of ASCAME, the Sfax Chamber of Commerce and Industry plays a pivotal role in fostering regional economic development. Located in Sfax, in the heart of central-eastern Tunisia, the Chamber benefits from a strategic geographical position that bridges the country’s central and southern regions. The CCI is deeply engaged in supporting local businesses by streamlining commercial operations, promoting investment, encouraging innovation, and expanding export opportunities. It also serves as a vital connector between economic stakeholders and public institutions.

We interviewed Mr. Habib Hammami, President of the Chamber, who emphasised its strategic contribution to Mediterranean cooperation and regional growth. He highlighted flagship initiatives such as MEDIBAT 2025, held in Sfax, which showcased innovation in the construction sector and reinforced regional collaboration. Mr. Hammami also talked about the Chamber’s participation in MedaLogistics 2025, alongside the Piraeus Chamber of Commerce and Industry, underlining the transformative potential of public-private partnerships in transport and logistics, key drivers of growth across the Mediterranean basin.
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ASCAME Insights

Mr. Anwar Zibaoui, ASCAME's General Coordinator, warns of Iran's economic collapse after war with Israel and the U.S.

In an opinion article published in 'On Economía', Mr. Zibaoui warns of a perfect storm threatening Iran's future and calls for a pragmatic policy that restores relations with its neighbors.

ASCAME’s General Coordinator, Mr. Anwar Zibaoui, raises urgent concerns over Iran’s escalating crisis: “A war with Israel and the United States, enduring international sanctions, soaring inflation, and a plummeting currency — Iran is caught in a perfect storm”.

Mr. Zibaoui explains that “the recent conflict has aggravated an already critical situation, leaving the country on the brink of an economic and humanitarian crisis”. As detailed in the article, sanctions have weakened the Iranian economy and eroded the middle class. Real incomes have declined due to inflation, leading to a higher incidence of poverty. They have also constrained military spending, which fell by 10% in real terms last year, weakening the country's defensive capabilities in a context of growing regional tension.

In his opinion, “the gap between the official discourse and the demands of the people is widening every day”. In his opinion, “Iran needs a pragmatic policy that restores relations with its neighbors, takes advantage of its resources to improve the quality of life of the population, and avoids an economic collapse”. He adds: “The immediate priority must be to preserve unity and internal cohesion and territorial integrity and prevent the country's economy from collapsing, which would be the worst-case scenario”.

ASCAME and the Sydney Institute of Technology & Innovation (SITI) join forces

to digitize Mediterranean Chambers

The recent webinar “Unlock the Power of AI for Mediterranean Industry,” co-hosted with SITI, showcased the tangible value this partnership brings to Chambers, businesses, and professionals across

the region.

A few months ago, ASCAME took a major step toward accelerating digital innovation in the Mediterranean by partnering with the Sydney Institute of Technology and Innovation (SITI), a leading Australian institution known for its expertise in AI, digital transformation, and tech-driven education.

This strategic alliance focuses on two main goals: fast-tracking the digital transformation of Mediterranean Chambers of Commerce and businesses, and boosting the region’s digital economy by making innovation more accessible and impactful. Together, ASCAME and SITI aim to empower SMEs, entrepreneurs, and professionals with practical digital skills and AI tools. Their first joint initiative, the webinar “Unlock the Power of AI for Mediterranean Industry”, showcased the partnership’s potential to deliver real value across the region.

To delve deeper into this collaboration, we spoke with Dr. Ghinwa Jalloul, President of SITI, who shared her insights on how digitalisation and AI are reshaping the future of Mediterranean business. According to her, "Chambers of Commerce have a unique opportunity to become powerful drivers of innovation and economic growth within their business communities".

ASCAME Projects

ASCAME,  partner of the D4T Project, joined an Interreg MED Meeting in Split (Croatia) on the Mediterranean sustainable tourism

ASCAME participated in the ‘Paths That Last – Collaborating for a Sustainable Tourism in the Mediterranean’ event, held in Split (Croatia) on June 25 and 26. The 2-day summit, organised by the Mediterranean Multi-Programme Mechanism (MMM), brought together the Managing Authorities of the 8 Interreg MED Programmes and over 200 project partners on sustainable tourism in the Mediterranean. This event was an excellent opportunity to connect with project partners and beneficiaries across the eight programmes; share insights, best practices, and results from sustainable tourism initiatives; and co-develop strategies and key recommendations to influence the future of tourism in the region.

On the first day, the roundtable discussions centered on strengthening cooperation and fostering sustainable tourism across the Mediterranean. The morning roundtables highlighted the collaborative efforts of Interreg programmes through the MMM, showcasing joint activities and capitalisation strategies aimed at enhancing synergies and mainstreaming practices. Panelists highlighted the tangible local impact of transnational programmes and the need to extend cooperation beyond Europe to include the Southern Mediterranean.

On the second day of the event, ASCAME actively participated in the workshop titled “Shared and Strategic Governance of the Tourism Offer”, one of several thematic sessions organised for Interreg partners. ASCAME’s workshop was coordinated by the Dialogue4Tourism Project (D4T), from the Interreg Euro-MED Programme in the framework of the Mediterranean Multi-Programme Mechanism. This workshop counted on the participation of Ms. Julia Sáiz-Pardo, leader of the D4T Project, Mr. Luis Miranda, ASCAME's Project Manager, and representatives from INTERACT and Interreg Italia–Slovenija.

Strengthening cereal supply chains in the Mediterranean and the MENA region to improve food security and stability

ASCAME is part of the European STAPLES Project (EU's PRIMA Partnership Programme), a strategic initiative that seeks to strengthen the resilience of Mediterranean and MENA food systems in the face of economic instability from global food markets.

Some weeks ago, the Cámara de Comercio de Sevilla -collaborating in the STAPLES Project, within ASCAME’s network- and the University of Gastronomic Sciences - Pollenzo (UNISG) -partner of the STAPLES Project in charge of this specific activity field research-,  organised more than 20 interviews with key actors of the cereal sector of Sevilla (Andalusia, Spain). This fieldwork is part of a wider research of the STAPLES Project, with field research activities that will take place in Egypt, Morocco, and Spain.

Regarding the field research carried out in Seville (Spain), the conducted interviews addressed a wide variety of stakeholders related to the cereal sector, significantly enriching the project study, including: agricultural associations, agri-food cooperatives, cereal traders' associations, cereal cooperative of Spain, Junta de Andalucía, and Seville Grain and Oilseed Exchange. These are the key areas of analysis:

✅ Factors that facilitate and hinder relations between cereal sector agents.
✅ Innovative strategies to overcome barriers in the sector.
✅ Identification of vulnerabilities in the supply chain.
✅ Dynamics constraining free trade in grains.

This research is fundamental to building more resilient and sustainable supply chains that benefit producers and consumers in the Mediterranean and MENA regions.

📷 In the photo taken, from left to right: Mr. Pablo Gonzalez del Corral, President of the Seville Grain and Oilseed Exchange, Mr. Isaac Pérez Borda, Researcher at UNISG, and Ms. María Martínez Aguayo, International Project Manager at the Chamber of Commerce of Seville.

ASCAME News & Events

ASCAME at the Turkish-Arab Chamber Executive Board Meeting and Economic Forum held in Izmir (Turkey)

On July 7, Mr. Ahmed El Wakil, President of ASCAME, participated in the Turkish-Arab Chamber Executive Board Meeting and Economic Forum held in Izmir, Turkey. The event was organised in collaboration with the Union Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye -TOBB and the Union of Arab Chambers. This forum provided a valuable platform for forging new business partnerships and strengthening economic, investment, and trade ties between Türkiye and the Arab world. ASCAME's President met with Mr. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, President of TOOB, and Mr. Samir Majoul, President of the Union of Arab Chambers.

ASCAME's institutional meeting with the Libyan Chambers of Commerce

At the end of June, Mr. Ahmed El Wakil, President of ASCAME, visited Libya for a series of productive meetings with the presidents of several Libyan Chambers of Commerce — all valued members of ASCAME. The discussions centered on advancing initiatives to modernise these Chambers and stimulate economic growth in Libya. This visit reaffirmed ASCAME’s commitment to strengthening regional cooperation and driving meaningful economic development across the Mediterranean.

UNIDO Global Call 2025

UNIDO ITPO Bahrain, in cooperation with ASCAME, invites you to take part in the UNIDO Global Call 2025, a global competition spotlighting bold ideas and sustainable innovation across the creative sectors. Submit your project in one of these three categories: 

✅ Eco-friendly Production - creating with sustainability at the core.

✅ Digital Innovation - Reshaping creativity through technology.

✅ Cultural Heritage - Preserving and remaining traditions for the future.

The deadline is September 1st. Register now! 👉 https://n9.cl/agtlt 

ASCAME's partner ANBE launches summer training to promote electric boating

ASCAME's partner ANBE (National Association for Electric Boats) is launching a new training initiative for those eager to explore the sea in a quiet, sustainable, and emission-free way. Under the motto “Learn to sail in an electric boat this summer”,  ANBE is offering hands-on courses and workshops to introduce electric navigation to the public. Delivered in collaboration with member companies and eco-conscious nautical schools, the training is open to both beginners and experienced sailors. Participants will learn about the operation, handling, and benefits of electric boats.

▶️ More info!  👉 https://n9.cl/ves7ki

▶️ Take advantage of ASCAME's exclusive offer! 👉 secretariat@ascame.org 

The Barcelona New Economy Week (BNEW) is back in September

The Barcelona New Economy Week (BNEW) is back from September 29 to October 2, at DFactory Barcelona. This B2B hybrid event, organised once again by ASCAME’s partner Consorci de la Zona Franca de Barcelona, connects various sectors including aviation, digital industry, mobility, sustainability, talent, health, and experience. BNEW is the meeting point for professionals, companies, and institutions committed to the development of the new economy.

▶️ Register now!  👉 https://n9.cl/m7l9f

Countdown to the 4th Intra-African Trade Fair 2025

The 4th Intra-African Trade Fair will be held from September 4 to 10 in Algiers (Algeria). This new edition, organised under the theme "Gateway to New Opportunities", will target a key group of strategic sectors, including agriculture, industry, energy, finance, research and innovation, health, transportation, and startups. Organised by African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), the African Union, and the African Union of Trade, this major event will bring together over 1,600 exhibitors and 35,000 visitors from across the continent to promote intra-African trade, investment opportunities, and strategic partnerships. We are proud to see one of our members, the  Algerian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CACI), actively involved in this edition.  Register now!

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