ASCAME reinforces its position as the leading private sector representative of the Mediterranean before EU institutions
ASCAME led a high-level institutional mission in Brussels to strengthen cooperation between Mediterranean Chambers of Commerce and key EU institutions.
On the 1st of July, the President of the Chamber of Commerce of Barcelona and ASCAME, Dr. Josep Santacreu, led a high-level institutional mission in Brussels (Belgium), marking an important step forward in the relations between the Mediterranean Chambers of Commerce and the European Union institutions.
Commissioner Šuica, accompanied by Mr. Francisco Gaztelu, Director of the European Commission in the Directorate-General for the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf (DG MENA), highlighted the strategic role of the private sector for the success of the Pact and stressed the importance of working with representative organizations like ASCAME to ensure effective implementation of this new European initiative. Dr. Santacreu underlined ASCAME’s unique representativeness, bringing together more than 130 Chambers of Commerce from 18 Mediterranean countries and representing millions of companies across the region. “Our objective is to help ensure that the Pact for the Mediterranean delivers tangible results for economic growth, employment, competitiveness and shared prosperity throughout the Mediterranean”, he said.
President Dr. Santacreu welcomes Ambassador Fadi Hajali, Secretary General ad interim of the UfM at ASCAME
The meeting highlighted a joint intention to deepen collaboration on initiatives that foster economic growth, social development, and stronger public‑private engagement across the Mediterranean.
ASCAME President Dr. Josep Santacreu welcomed Ambassador Fadi Hajali, the newly appointed Secretary General ad interim of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), during a courtesy visit to the Llotja de Mar in Barcelona. The meeting reaffirmed the strong and longstanding partnership between ASCAME and the UfM, two complementary institutions committed to advancing economic integration, sustainable development, and regional cooperation within the framework of the Pact for the Mediterranean.
Both sides agreed to further strengthen their collaboration through initiatives that promote economic growth, social development, and closer public‑private engagement across the region. The Secretary General was accompanied by Ambassador Meltem Buyurkarakas, UfM Deputy Secretary General for Economic Development and Employment; Mr. Mohamed El Razzaz, UfM Head of Sector; Mr. Xavier Coronas, Secretary General of the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce; and Mr. Koussay Boulaich, Senior Diplomatic Adviser to the President of ASCAME.
ASCAME President Dr. Josep Santacreu opened the second day of MedCat Days 2026 in Barcelona, highlighting the strategic importance of the Pact for the Mediterranean in building a stronger and more connected region.
On 10 July, ASCAME President Dr. Josep Santacreu took part in the official opening of the second day of the MedCat Days 2026 in Barcelona, an edition fully centred on the opportunity that the Pact for the Mediterranean represents for building a Mediterranean that is stronger, more connected and better prepared for the challenges ahead. He was accompanied by Mr. Jaume Duch, Minister for European and Foreign Action at Generalitat de Catalunya; Mr. Francisco Joaquín Gaztelu, Director at the Directorate-General for the Middle East, North Africa, and the Gulf (DG MENA ), Ms. Marie-Antoinette Maupertuis, Representative on behalf of the President of the European Committee of the Regions, and Mr. Fadi Hajali, Acting Secretary-General at the Union for the Mediterranean.
All of them highlighted essential priorities for the road ahead: multilevel governance, deeper cooperation between institutions, citizens and the business community, a commitment to shared challenges and shared responsibility, and strong regional leadership to ensure the effective implementation of the Pact. Dr. Santacreu emphasized that "the private sector must have a voice in the design and implementation of the Pact, as Mediterranean SMEs are the backbone of our economy, driving job creation, fostering innovation, and strengthening connections between both shores".
Interview with Mr. Tayeb Chabab, President of the Algerian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CACI): “Algeria aims to become a central connector between African and Mediterranean energy systems”
We interviewed Mr. Tayeb Chabab, President of the Algerian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CACI), who offered a comprehensive perspective on Algeria’s evolving economic landscape and its growing role in the Mediterranean region. He reflected on the country’s ongoing economic diversification, the challenges and opportunities for Algerian companies seeking access to European and Mediterranean markets, and the strategic importance of Algeria as an emerging connector between Europe and Africa.
Mr. Chabab also highlighted CACI’s contribution to national economic reforms, its support for private sector development, and its efforts to strengthen regional cooperation through ASCAME. Key themes include Algeria’s energy potential, major infrastructure and industrial projects, the need to modernise trade and export procedures, and the importance of building trust-based partnerships with foreign investors.
ASCAME and DevelopmentAid join forces to boost Mediterranean access to global development and procurement opportunities
ASCAME is pleased to announce a new strategic partnership with DevelopmentAid, a leading platform in the international development sector that provides access to tenders, grants, donor‑funded projects, experts, and market intelligence. Through this collaboration, ASCAME members will gain enhanced access to funding and procurement opportunities, including:
✅ Personalized funding alerts covering tenders and grants relevant to Mediterranean companies and organizations. ✅ Exclusive learning sessions, presentations, and webinars to better understand how to leverage DevelopmentAid and Tenderwell - Government Contracts and Tenders Platform - a government procurement intelligence platform that helps organizations identify and monitor public procurement opportunities from national and local authorities. ✅ One month of complimentary Premium access to both DevelopmentAid and Tenderwell for eligible members, unlocking advanced tools to identify opportunities, monitor projects, and explore government procurement markets.
Together, ASCAME and DevelopmentAid will empower our network to compete globally, diversify opportunities, and accelerate business development across the region. If you would like to benefit from this partnership, please get in touch with DevelopmentAid directly at: 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽@𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗱.𝗼𝗿𝗴
ASCAME and Escola Europea - Intermodal Transport unite to upskill Mediterranean logistics professionals and strengthen regional competitiveness
In July, ASCAME and Escola Europea - Intermodal Transport (EEIT) met in Barcelona to strengthen their strategic partnership in training and capacity building. Both organisations reaffirmed their commitment to developing joint initiatives, recognising that long‑term partnerships are essential to achieving sustainable results and creating lasting impact across the Mediterranean.
Over the years, both institutions have collaborated in key regional events such as Medalogistics and Meditour Agadir 2026, where the importance of specialised training and professional skills in the logistics and transport sectors has emerged as a key priority. These shared experiences have demonstrated how upskilling the workforce is fundamental to improving competitiveness, fostering innovation and supporting sustainable growth across Mediterranean economies.
EEIT is a leading training centre specialised in intermodal logistics, maritime transport and sustainable mobility. Based in Barcelona, it provides hands‑on courses, technical workshops and immersive learning experiences on board vessels and in port facilities. Its mission is to equip professionals and students with the skills needed to operate efficiently in modern supply chains, promoting greener, more integrated transport systems across Europe and the Mediterranean.
ASCAME Insights
AI‑driven Chambers of Commerce and green cooperation networks take centre stage at the Fes Meknes Economic Forum
During the 6th edition of the Fes Meknes Economic Forum (24–26 June 2026, Fes, Morocco), ASCAME took part as a speaker in several sessions on the evolving role of Chambers of Commerce in the age of AI and the value of cooperation networks.
In the first panel, ASCAME shared the experience of the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce as a reference for African Chambers from French‑speaking countries. Representing the Chamber, Mr. Luis Miranda, ASCAME Project Manager, outlined the AI implementation journey launched in 2025 to accelerate response times, improve efficiency, and upskill teams. For this process, the Chamber of Barcelona has set up a model with three phases:
1️⃣ External consulting and introduction of COPILOT, as well as a 1st diagnosis with an action plan. 2️⃣ Testing phase. 3️⃣ Scaling ideas that work and transforming them into real services and governance.
The second panel explored how cooperation networks can address the challenges of the green transition. ASCAME emphasized the need for a holistic approach, aligned with the UN SDGs 2030 and the EU Green Deal, integrating key themes such as the green & blue economy, circularity, innovation, and climate action, all essential for strategic Mediterranean sectors like tourism and logistics.
EU Budget 2028–2034: A new era of competitiveness and strategic investment
The new EU Budget 2028–2034 marks a historic shift toward competitiveness, strategic investment, and industrial resilience. In his analysis, Mr. Vassilis Korkidis, President of the Piraeus Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Vice President of ASCAME, highlights how this ambitious €2 trillion framework moves Europe beyond traditional redistribution and toward long‑term value creation in innovation, defense, clean energy, digital transformation, and critical infrastructure.
For Greece, this transition opens major opportunities: strengthening its maritime leadership, modernising ports and logistics, expanding energy interconnections, boosting industrial capabilities, and accelerating SME digitalisation. But it also brings new challenges, such as greater competition for EU funding, stricter performance requirements, and intensified efforts among Member States to attract strategic investments.
Mr. Korkidis also stresses that Greece must embrace an investment‑driven approach, preparing mature, high‑impact projects that enhance productivity and technological leadership.
On 1–2 October, the Camera di Commercio di Cagliari‑Oristano and ASCAME will host MedaCity 2026 in Cagliari (Italy), bringing together leaders, entrepreneurs, development institutions, port authorities and youth innovators to discuss how Mediterranean cities can drive innovation, inclusion and sustainable growth. The Forum will explore four key pillars:
1️⃣ Sustainable investments and the Pact for the Mediterranean.
2️⃣ Youth-led innovation.
3️⃣ Tourism and urban identity.
4️⃣ The strategic role of ports in urban transformation.
Coinciding with MedaCity 2026, ASCAME will hold its Executive Committee meeting to review the achievements of Dr. Josep Santacreu’s new mandate and outline next steps for implementing the Pact for the Mediterranean.
ASCAME, a key partner of GISEC Global 2026
ASCAME is pleased to announce its participation as a strategic partner of GISEC Global 2026, the Arab world’s largest and most impactful cybersecurity exhibition and conference, taking place from 16–18 September in Dubai (UAE), at the Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo City. GISEC Global stands as a premier platform where governments, industry leaders, and innovators address the most critical cybersecurity challenges shaping our digital future. As part of this partnership, ASCAME members will benefit from an exclusive 20% discount on All‑Access Conference Passes when registering for the event.
➡️ Info & Registration! 👉 https://n9.cl/6lcapm
Space Economy Congress 2026: Strengthening Mediterranean leadership in the new space era
Barcelona once again became a key meeting point for Europe’s space economy. On 7 July, the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce hosted the 6th edition of the Space Economy Congress, bringing together more than 1,000 professionals and experts from across the continent. With ASCAME as a key partner, the congress explored how space technologies are shaping climate intelligence, secure systems, technological sovereignty and economic continuity.
Sessions and workshops throughout the day addressed emerging applications of Earth observation, secure satellite‑based communications, innovation pathways for Mediterranean startups, and new opportunities for collaboration between regions and industry clusters.
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