On 19 November, ASCAME members actively participated in thematic sessions within the framework of the Euro-Mediterranean Economic & Business Forum 2025, held at the iconic Casa Llotja de Mar in Barcelona. These sessions provided a platform to exchange perspectives on the key economic sectors driving the region’s future, the role of Industry 4.0 in ushering in a new era of innovation, and strategies to enhance investment attraction. Below are the tracks on which they contributed, along with some of their main takeaways.
➡️ ‘Driving Competitiveness: Opportunities for the Mediterranean Automotive Industry’.
This session examined how the region can strengthen its competitiveness across the entire automotive value chain. It featured the participation of Mr. Fadi Saab, President of ASCAME’s Commission “Integrity Values & Business Ethics Commission, and Chairman & CEO of Trans Capital Finance, who highlighted the example of Renault in Morocco: “The company has recently launched Renault Technologie Maroc (RTMA), an innovation and engineering hub in Northern Morocco, designed to strengthen research, development, and industrial operations across Africa. In addition, Renault has invested significantly in worker training, establishing dedicated centers and partnerships to upskill its workforce for Industry 4.0 and the transition to electric and hybrid vehicles”.
➡️ ‘Startup Incubators, Accelerators & Innovation Ecosystems: Building the Next Unicorns’.
This track explored best practices in startup support, public-private innovation platforms, and tech transfer strategies to commercialize industrial R&D. It featured the participation of the following ASCAME members:
Mr. Habib Hammami, President of the Sfax Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Tunisia): “It is essential to foster partnerships with European clusters and to establish regional investment and innovation networks. These efforts are fundamental to positioning our region as a genuine laboratory of innovation. Achieving this ambition will depend on our collective ability to build a dynamic ecosystem that facilitates the transfer of innovative ideas to companies ready to scale and succeed in global markets”.
Mr. Muamer Mahmutović, President of the Sarajevo – Canton Chamber of Economy (Bosnia): “We need to embrace a triple helix approach to drive innovation across the Mediterranean region. Firstly, the researcher, as the originator of new ideas. Secondly, universities, acting as a vital bridge between research and the market by providing incubation, technology transfer, and partnerships with companies. Thirdly, the private sector, supported by the Chambers of Commerce and regional networks, playing a crucial role in scaling these innovations across countries and ensuring their impact at a transnational level”.
➡️ ‘Unlocking Growth: Special Economic Zones as Catalysts for Industrialization & Trade’.
This session examined how Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and industrial parks can act as engines of regional industrial development, export promotion, and integration into global value chains. It counted on the participation of Dr. Alaa Ezz, Secretary General of the Confederation of Egyptian European Chambers (CEEBA), who pointed out: “Many Chinese and Turkish companies have established operations in Egypt as a consequence of recent trade wars. We are witnessing an unprecedented relocation of businesses to the Mediterranean, particularly in its southern shores”.
➡️ ‘Investment Policies & Tax Incentives: Attracting FDI in the Mediterranean’.
The discussion focused on optimizing FDI strategies in industrial sectors through targeted incentives, regulatory reforms, and investment facilitation services. The session featured the participation of Mr. Dimitrios F. Bakalis, Project Manager of EU-funded projects at the Ilia Chamber of Commerce (Greece), who shared the following reflection: “Logistics is crucial to attract new investors. We need to focus more on value than on volume. We should consider ways to foster stronger local synergies and enhance engagement with local companies. Finally, it is essential to educate SMEs to invest in the green economy”.
This track also counted on the participation of Ms. Rym Ayadi, President and Founder of ASCAME’s partner, the Euro-Mediterranean Economists Association (EMEA): “Long-term investment flourishes where brain capital, nature capital, and industrial policy meet. The Mediterranean can lead only if it invests not just in projects, but in people, ecosystems, and trust”.