The first ASCAME Bureau meeting of the year, the organization’s most important executive body, was held yesterday, March 24th. This session was convened and led by its current President, Dr. Josep Santacreu, marking his debut at the helm of the institution. The objective was to present the draft strategic lines and priorities for the coming year. The proposals presented were the result of inclusive and participatory discussions held over the past month between the ASCAME team and the presidents of the Chambers of Commerce who serve on the Bureau.
The meeting saw a high level of participation, with nine out of the ten member countries in attendance: Egypt, France, Greece, Italy, Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia, Türkiye, and Spain, represented by President Dr. Santacreu.
During his remarks, the President of ASCAME addressed the current geopolitical context, highlighting “the challenging and tragic times we are witnessing in the Middle East and the Gulf, with a massive humanitarian and economic impact on both regional and global stability”. He also expressed his solidarity with all those affected by the ongoing conflict, particularly ASCAME community members in Lebanon and Jordan, as well as the wider region.
The Bureau members discussed several key topics, including the presentation of the draft strategic lines and priorities for the coming years, an update on new members and partnerships, the upcoming Executive Committee hosted by the Chamber of Aix Marseille Provence on April 21, and preparations for the Euro-Mediterranean Economic Business Summit, the leading gathering of the Euro-Mediterranean business ecosystem, which will take place this year in Piraeus (Greece) in November.
ASCAME’s new strategic plan
The main focus of the session was the new strategic framework for ASCAME, the result of an inclusive and participatory process conducted over the past month by the ASCAME team and the presidents of the Chambers of Commerce serving on the Bureau. The objective is to consolidate these priorities jointly with the remaining member countries and secure their approval at the next Executive Committee meeting in April in Marseille.
The new strategic plan is structured around three main pillars:
- The Mediterranean Pact: A unique opportunity for the Euro-Mediterranean private sector, where ASCAME aims to position itself as the natural interlocutor, ensuring that the regional business community’s voice is represented and heard.
- External dimension: Strengthening ASCAME’s role as the leading business platform in the region by ensuring an active presence in major economic forums, with increased visibility, stronger partnerships, and a coordinated annual agenda.
- Internal dimension: Maximizing the added value of member Chambers through modernized governance and a plan to revitalize sectoral commissions.
All comments and observations gathered during the meeting will be incorporated into the final strategic plan, which will be presented at the next Executive Committee session.
During his speech, Dr. Santacreu reaffirmed his commitment to “building together a set of strategic priorities shaped through the inclusive participation of all members, and supported by a realistic plan for their implementation.” He emphasized that “this has been a genuine collaborative exercise, enriched by the valuable feedback received on this draft.
The meeting was attended by the following ASCAME representatives: Mr. Vassilis Korkidis (Piraeus Chamber of Commerce and Industry), Mr Frédéric Ronal (Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie Marseille-Provence), Mr. Moncef Ben Jemaa and Ms. Dalenda Mekki (Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie de Tunis CCITunis), Mr. Şekib Avdagiç (İstanbul Ticaret Odası), Mr. Gaetano Attilio Nastasi and Mr. Emanuele Cabras (Camera di commercio di Cagliari-Oristano), Mr. Afailal Abdelatif (Chambre de Commerce d’Industrie et de Services de la Région Tanger Tétouan Al Hoceima), Mr. Alaa Ezz (Alexandria Chamber of Commerce), and Mr. Rayan Kouatly and Ms. Marina Sabbagh (Lebanese Arbitration and Mediation Center at the Chamber of Commerce Industry and Agriculture of Beirut and Mount Lebanon).