Organized by MED Confederation Dedicated to the theme of "Bridging SMEs between North and South Mediterranean: The role of SMEs in the socioeconomic development of the Mediterranean region, The Barcelona Euro-Med Forum event, was held on July, 4th-5th 2018, at Palau Macaya in Barcelona.

This two-day event gathered representatives of international organisations, public & private institutions, business associations, civil society networks, associations and foundations from the region for an in-depth discussion on shared socioeconomic challenges in the Mediterranean under the scope of the small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and the role they can play in achieving goals such as job creation, sustainable development and the inclusion of all sectors in the economy.

During this event, Mrs Jihen Boutiba, BUSINESSMED's General Secretary presented the regional project EBSOMED, its objectives and instruments to implement all the activities, in the purpose of promoting Private Sector Development, Competitiveness, Job Creation and Youth and Women Entrepreneurship.

Three consecutive panel sessions on: “How to create ecosystems for entrepreneurship”, “How to support the growth of SMEs”, and “The role of policy makers and other stakeholders to support SMEs in the south Mediterranean” focused on the analysis of the current social entrepreneurship systems, business enabling infrastructures and access to financial instruments for SMEs around the Euro-Mediterranean region, and feature experts exchanging views and reacting to new challenges the SMEs in the region faces today.

In addition to high-level debates the programme enclosed, the conference provided an excellent opportunity to meet with key SME actors from around the Mediterranean region.