21-22 octobre 2022

Panel Discussion: SUSTAINABILITY CHALLENGES IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN AFRICA AND EUROPE. TOGETHER. TOMORROW. TODAY

Online Conference • 21–22 October 2022

Speech by the president of Comedit

First of all, I should like to thank Prof. Luigia Melillo Rector of Pegaso International for this invitation.

The topic of my talk is very stimulating and demanding due to the current challenges we are experiencing.

The European Union is the first Trade Partner of the Southern Mediterranean countries and is both their first export and import market.

The Euro - Mediterranean Partnership brings together the Member States of the Union and eleven Mediterranean countries ( Algeria, Egypt, Jordan Lebanon, Libya Morocco, Syria, Tunisia Turkey and the Occupied Territories of Palestine.

Despite the uneven progress made in the development of enterprise policy, EU businesses have also already benefited from Euro-Mediterranean Industrial Cooperation. Mutual acquaintance has created trust, and this has enabled the development of joint projects in areas such as education, qualifications, cluster building, and innovation. On the positive side, as a result of transition processes in certain countries, private sector organizations have become more active. New associations have been formed, some of which represent new entrepreneurs, and established relationships between political and business elites have been examined.

Public-private dialogue in the region is more open and constructive and has generally contributed to improving the quality of public policies towards small businesses. For Mediterranean economies, especially those in political transition, the challenge is to develop and implement structural policies in difficult times when short-term solutions are needed.

We are not accustomed to thinking in the medium - long term, we struggle to distinguish between a cost and an investment , we do not pose the problem of the future . The crisis has sharpened our propensity for the “here and now ”.

In summary, the path to be experienced could be as follows:

• Let's define standard interventions, in consideration of fields, countries/areas, and events;
• Let's make an accurate mapping of the territory in terms of excellences to be enhanced;
• Let's define the specific, dedicated projects, in a planning that takes into account the relationships between the different actors in the territory: Chambers of Commerce, Regions, etc.
• Let's design the individual initiatives, establishing budgets and activities, based on project management methodologies

In order to enhance and give a service in line with the needs of the present time the Organization that I have the honor to preside over, has established a Service Company called COMEDIT CONSULTING, which has designed a digital platform capable of reaching Individuals and Institutions.

At present, further investigations are underway, and we will be operational as of next November.

At this point I believe that everyone's work and commitment is needed so that inclusiveness is not just a “statement of intent”.

I wish you well in your work and warmest regards to all of you.

Read the program >>