Government officials, businessmen and trade unions representatives from Europe and North Africa held Wednesday in Barcelona (Spain) the first Economic Forum of the Western Mediterranean.
The Forum looked into ways of fostering economic cooperation and partnership between the ten countries of the Western Mediterranean. These are France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Malta and their southern Mediterranean partners Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia.
Participants reviewed the role of the western Mediterranean countries in a global economy and discussed ways to foster the 5+5 economic dialogue.
The speakers agreed that the ten western Mediterranean countries could play an increasing and better role in the global economy by using their combined economic powers, affirming their geographic position and proximity to European market give businesses competitive edge.
They said that development projects and partnerships offer huge opportunities for businesses and jobs creation in the region. Participants also discussed regional integration, cooperation prospects between Europe, Maghreb and sub-saharan Africa expected to post a growth rate of 4.8 pc in 2013 and 5.3 pc next year.
The issues of arbitration, public services and sustainable urban development as well as the role of SMEs in socioeconomic development, jobs creation and the need to enhance their performance and improve their management were also reviewed during the gathering
Following the summit held in Malta on 5-6 oct.2012, the Heads of State and Govt of the ten Western Mediterranean countries (commonly referred to as “5+5 Dialogue”) had agreed to set up an economic forum to discuss joint actions to build common future with shared goals.
