One year after a first workshop on economic recovery, BUSINESSMED and Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, had the pleasure to gather in Turkey on October 14, 2022, leading experts operating in the Mediterranean region for a conference around the economic recovery in Europe and free trade agreements.

In light of the common challenges facing Euro-Mediterranean countries, rethinking regional value chains has become a top priority to restore ailing economies, doubly affected by the massive economic shock of the Covid-19 pandemic as well as the ramifications of the Russian and Ukrainian crises.

Part of a series of expert consultations for sustainable economic recovery in the southern Mediterranean region, the workshop organized by the regional program South Mediterranean Policy Dialogue of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS PolDiMed) and BUSINESSMED aimed to provide an overview of the current economic and geopolitical context of the Euro-Mediterranean region and to examine the prerequisites and prospects for economic cooperation between the EU and the southern Mediterranean countries, with a focus on trade-related infrastructure and logistics.

The event also included a visit to the premises of AKSOY Holding, one of the largest holding companies in Turkey, where the experts participating in the conference had the pleasure of exchanging with the CEO of the group as well as several of its employees on experiences, challenges and best practices in economic recovery and resilience.

The recommendations and ideas developed during each panel will be used to publish a recommendation paper later this year that will prepare for future joint events between the two organizations.