A few weeks have passed since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Weeks in which the consequences of the pandemic have got worse at an economic and social level in the majority of countries. However, it seems that we are already beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Some countries are getting ready or have already started the virus de-escalation phase. Little by little companies are returning to their normal activity and workers are coming back to their jobs.
But even though economy is progressively recovering, it will still take a long time for countries to return to the activity levels prior to the coronavirus outbreak. In fact, Mediterranean countries have been especially affected by this crisis, since their economies depend largely on the tourism sector. For this reason, now more than ever, it is necessary that the public and private sectors work together and implement joint actions that help families and companies.
The role of the private sector is currently essential. As we have been informing you since the beginning of the crisis, many members of ASCAME have put in place measures to lessen its negative effects. In this regard, we are pleased to highlight new initiatives lead by the network of ASCAME members:
- Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services of the Tanger-Tétouan-Al Hoceima region
The Chamber of Commerce of Tanger-Tétouan-Al Hoceima has launched several initiatives to fight against the pandemic, such as its participation in the National Economic Intelligence Commission (National Economic Sailing Commission) chaired by the Minister of Economy and Finance in order to take measures to support the national economy, SMEs, very small companies, employees, families in difficult situations and people who work in informal sectors.
A special fund for the management of the pandemic has been created by HM King Mohamed VI, to which the Chamber has contributed with a million euros. Moreover, the President of the Tanger Chamber, Omar Moro, has coordinated a series of measures from the Federation of Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Services of Morocco.
The Moroccan government has also put in place some measures like the suspension of social security charges, the creation of new operating credit lines, a medical assistance plan or the deferral of tax returns.
- Italian Union of Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Artisanship (Unioncamere)
Unioncamere, the Italian Union of Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Artisanship, has launched a new business-friendly portal in the Coronavirus emergency, an online platform to help entrepreneurs to understand the national and regional measures aimed at limiting the spread of the virus. The portal allows a targeted search of the rules adopted at central and local level and pays particular attention to opportunities for financial support. More information here.
Moreover, Unioncamere in cooperation with Promos italia have also launched a special Help Desk for businesses operating in foreing markets, which offers companies initial assistance in solving legal, customs and fiscal problems related to foreign trade in times of coronavirus. More information here.
- Istanbul Chamber of Commerce
The Istanbul Chamber of Commerce has started a campaign for announcing the government’s economic measures against coronavirus mainly through its social media channels and the Chamber’s newspaper. It has also encouraged its partners and member companies to be online and use the e-document services offered by the Chamber on its website. Moreover, Şekib Avdagiç, Chairman of the Board of Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ITO), announced that they will contribute with 5 million turkish lira to the National Solidarity Campaign.
- The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB)
The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) has organised a series of online meetings and trainings on different topics related to the effects of the pandemic. For example, the TOBB Turkey Education Council was held online to talk about problems and solutions in the sector, especially for private educational institutions. A consultation meeting with Trade Minister Pekcan about the difficulties experienced by the business world also took place.
At a video conference with the German-Turkish Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a presentation was given on the applications implemented to support the private sector within the scope of Covid-19 measures in Turkey while also receiving notes on the problems of German investors in Turkey. Furthermore, the Council of Chambers of Maritime Commerce discussed the state of the maritime sector, from transportation to shipyards to marine tourism, the effects of the outbreak and the measures needed to be take.
- Spanish Chamber of Commerce
The Spanish Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism and the Spanish Chamber of Commerce have launched an informative website in which the supply and demand for protection elements and equipment (masks, gloves, visual protectors, gowns and hydro-alcoholic solutions) will be published. This will facilitate the supply of this type of products, especially to small and medium-sized companies.
On the other hand, the president of the Spanish Chamber, José Luis Bonet, has met online with the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Reyes Maroto, who has thanked the role that companies and Chambers of Commerce are playing in the fight against the coronavirus.
- Barcelona Port
The Port of Barcelona will begin to apply in the next few days a series of shock measures aimed at mitigating the economic impact that the Covid-19 is having in the Port Community.
The economic measures are divided into two groups. On the one hand, those destined for the release of liquidity, which will represent about 45.3 million euros. On the other, the rate reductions, which will mean a saving of 10.6 million euros for operators. They are all shock measures with which the Port of Barcelona will make 56 million euros available to the business community to withstand the effects of the pandemic.
- Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry
The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry’s President, David Xuereb has called on businesses to recognise that the changes brought by COVID-19 will not be ending shortly. Companies will have to adapt to change. The President has asked the business community to be realistic when facing the consequences of the pandemic, while encouraging them to read all available information from the health authorities.
“It is the time for everyone to take a reality check and stop and think about what should happen next. We must learn to do things differently. Let us recognise that our lives and our businesses during and after COVID-19 will be different to what they were”, he claimed.
- Algerian-Spanish Circle of Commerce and Industry (CCIAE)
The Algerian-Spanish Circle of Commerce and Industry (CCIAE) has presented the report ‘The Covid-19 Health Crisis, Prelude to a Global Economic Recovery Plan’. A document that contains an analysis of the current situation in Algeria, a review of the measures implemented so far as well as a series of recommendations. Click here to read the report.
- Piraeus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI)
The P.C.C.I.’s President, Vassilis Korkidis, has published a statement regarding the EU Leaders Summit asking Europe to move fast to defeat the coronavirus crisis. He claims that the European Union must prove that it can be more than the sum of its members.
“Many member states, including Greece, under the pressure of the emergency, have been ineffective, during these last weeks, to prevent the EU from being led into a scattered landscape of two camps with weak measures to deal with the economic impact. After all, for recovery from such a major crisis, only a common European solution can solve, putting the single market at the center of the final decisions. So even if it is too late, Europe needs to set up a strong and flexible 1.5 trillion-euro Recovery Fund for member states to meet emerging fiscal risks. Today, more than ever, we need a strong Europe”, has stated Mr. Korkidis. Click here to read the full statement.
Furthermore, the President of the Piraeus Chamber of Commerce and Industry has been regularly informing ASCAME about the situation in Greece and the measures that have been approved. Click here to read the latest statement on the measures applied in Greece.
ASCAME congratulates its members for their exemplary mobilization and encourages them to continue launching programs and initiatives that help manage the COVID-19 crisis. The private sector is key to overcome the current situation and common action must be taken in order to reactivate the global business community.