BUSINESSMED took part On Thursday 28 to the “Dialogues on Innovation in the Mediterranean Agri-Food System” organized by CIHEAM Bari in the framework of the Mediterranean Agri-Food Innovation Week, aiming at fostering the competitiveness of the Mediterranean entrepreneurial system and identifying concrete strategies and means for the creation of an environment conducive to the sustainable development of this sector, a cornerstone of the socio-economic growth of the region. The workshop was opened by the director of CIHEAM Bari, the president of Apulia Region, the vice-president of CIHEAM and Jihen Boutiba, Secretary-General of BUSINESSMED.

Thanks to the testimony and contributions of stakeholders, start-uppers, agricultural entrepreneurs, and international experts and actors from the public and private sectors, the workshop focused on the importance of promoting and developing youth entrepreneurial initiatives by interlinking business innovation and competitiveness as driving force for the creation and change of agri-food businesses, as it integrates all three dimensions - environmental, social, and economic, of sustainable development in line with the United Nations 2030 Agenda.

During her speech, The Secretary General of BUSINESSMED, pleaded for the recognition of the tremendous potential of our region, which just needs to be better accompanied and guided by a more collaborative and structured action, guaranteeing social justice to young innovative entrepreneurs. She also recalled the efforts of the organisation to respond to the challenges of innovation by being part of a movement of sustainable change mobilizing and valuing human capital.