BUSINESSMED represented by its President Mrs Saida NEGHZA, its Secretary General, Mrs Jihen BOUTIBA MRAD and its members, participated to the Mediterranean Week of Economic Leaders, that took place in Barcelona, from November 21st to November 24th 2017. The event organized by the ASCAME in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce of Barcelona, represents an inescaple event in the Euro-Méditerranean panorama. The latter dealt, in this 11th Edition, with Economic trends as well as solutions related to regional challenges. In particular, MedaWeek brought together leading regional stakeholders and key experts who jointly covered a wide range of topics such as Women’s Entrepreneurship, New Technologies and Water Industry, Economic and Urban Development., Textile and Fashion Industry, Islamic Finance, Circular Economy etc. The Pre-Medaweek was inaugurated by the Euromed Invest Academy, organized by Ascame in partnership with the German Arab Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Chamber of Barcelona. It focused on strengthening Business Support Organizations through the improvement of services offered to businesses in terms of finance, cooperation and business networking. On this occasion, BUSINESSMED’s International Relations Officer, Mr Marco Cunetto, presented the main operations carried out in the framework of the project over the past three years, with a focus on the Women’s Empowerment Academy in BSEs, held in the margin of the International Women’s Day, in Marrakech on March 6th and 7th, 2017.

Besides, BUSINESSMED in partnership with the ASCAME co-organized the Mediterranean Textile and Fashion Industry Forum on November 22nd 2017. The Forum, moderated by BUSINESSMED’s Secretary General, was attended by the main representatives of professional organizations as well as the private sector from the different Mediterranean countries, who had the opportunity to share their experiences and best practices. During the session, Mr Claudio Assenza, Global Sales Representative of Nastrificio de Bernardis, emphasized on the importance of multicultural communication as well as the empowerment of women entrepreneurs in the process of internationalization of the textile sector. Subsequently, young and talented fashion operators presented their projects: among them Dina Maqdah, a young Jordanian fashion designer, who was able to launch her creations at major world fashion events thanks to the support of the EU and the Creative Jordan project. Her success story was highlighted in the latest video of EU Neighbors South that shows EU investment in young and innovative spirits with a view to the inception of a better future in the Mediterranean.

In accordance with the regional and technological changes that are currently defining the Mediterranean, this year, the MedaWeek focused on the role of women in the private sector. With the support of the AFAEMME, the Association of Organisations of Mediterranean Businesswomen, the MedaWeek welcomed on November 24th 2017 the IX Edition of the Mediterranean Forum of Women Entrepreneurs, that aim at exploring the key opportunities for women entrepreneurs in the region. In this context, the MedaWomen has addressed relevant topics to a changing society by using innovative tools and unconventional approaches. In this regard, the President of BUSINESSMED, who inaugurated the opening session, pointed out that "Women are too often absent in the strategic decision-making process, underrepresented in the formal labor market, while they are now a glimmer of hope for the Mediterranean. Promoting the role of women is therefore a requirement for the construction of a more stable Euro-Mediterranean region able to cope best with its challenges".

The Union of Mediterranean Confederations of Enterprises held its Elective General Assembly also in the margins of the Economic Week. After the review of three years of activity, the General Assembly appointed the new President of BUSINESSMED, Mrs. Saida Neghza for a three-year term, the newly elected Vice-President, Mr. Adnan Abu Ragheb, President of the Jordan Chamber of Industry, and confirmed Mr. Baban of Confindustria as First Vice- President. On the same occasion, the mandate of the Secretary General, Mrs. Jihen Boutiba Mrad, was unanimously renewed for a period of three years (2017-2020).

Thereafter, the outgoing President, Mr. Jacques Jean Sarraf launched a video message, wishing to the new President, all the members and BUSINESSMED team the greatest success. Under the provision of the General Assembly, Mr. Sarraf was appointed Honorary President of the Organization.

Several topics were discussed during the Assembly, such as the strengthening of the Organization’s network and the integration of new Member Countries of the African continent which is at the heart of a new strategy for the upcoming years

An overview on the activities and actions carried out in 2017 is available via this link.