The Association of the Mediterranean Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the results of this year are positive. During this year, Mr Choucair has followed his objective of consolidation of the Association through the signature of strategic agreements with the aim of developing the Euro-Mediterranean partnership and the consolidation of the Euro-Mediterranean integration zone. At the same time, ASCAME has managed to make its members participate in the financing of European and international projects for a total amount of 40 million Euros in collaboration with other organizations.

This means that ASCAME and its network of chambers of commerce are appointed by different European and International agencies to manage and allow the SME from both sides of the Mediterranean to get credit and investment of projects focused on the Euro-Mediterranean development. Mr Choucair has also pursued in his efforts in order to encourage the creation of a Mediterranean Arbitration Center. Furthermore, he has been able to increase the presence of ASCAME in international economic organizations thanks to interviews with economic and politic leaders of the euro-Mediterranean region. Among them, he has met the President of the French Republic Mr François Hollande, the General Secretary of the Union for the Mediterranean, Mr Fathallah Sijilmassi; the President of the Lebanese Republic, Mr Michel Sleiman; the Vice-president of the EIB, Mr. de Fontaine Vive and the President of the Catalan government, Mr Artur Mas among other important personalities.

With regards to the agreements, President Choucair has signed the Memorandum of Understanding with the EIB on the 26th of November of 2013. This agreement renews the partnership in favour of the Mediterranean firms. By combining their competencies and means of action in order to support the private sector, ASCAME and the EIB try to best support the projects’ promoters and job growth initiatives.