Economic Week of the Mediterranean

For those who are not yet aware, an Economic Week of the Mediterranean is organised in Marseille, with a score of quality events, in a week (19 to 24 November 2007). It is expected to gather between 3 and 5,000 persons interested in the economic development of the Mediterranean and the creation of co-operation relationships between all our teams. Many events are opened to the public.

The leaders in Euro-Mediterranean relations, Marseille City Council and Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur Regional Council, have joined with the Euroméditerranée public development agency to host the first “Mediterranean Economic Week”. About fifteen major events will provide a basis on which economists, experts, businessmen, politicians and the heads of local and national authorities from various countries will be able to discuss the major issues paving the way for consolidation of Mediterranean partnership and regional economic integration.

This first conference will include recurrent events such as the “Euromed Business Summit” organised by Economist Conferences, the “Rendez-Vous de la Méditerranée” organised by the Cercle des Economistes and the Institut de la Méditerranée, and finally the Conference on Europe-Mediterranean Relations organised by the Aspen Institute. There will also be new initiatives focussing on subjects currently in the headlines e.g. innovation, clusters, issues for the textile sector, urban waste management, European Union funding and North-South solidarity.

The strategic factors behind the development of a Mediterranean area (cooperation, employment, investment, training and youth) and its position within the global economy will be explored throughout the week and illustrated by numerous testimonials and opportunities to share and discuss past experiences.

Political and institutional leaders, representatives from European and international organisations, directors of multinational companies and SMEs, researchers, economists and journalists from both sides of the Mediterranean will provide debate and analyses and engage in discussions that will hopefully give rise to new operational proposals.

The organisers of all the events held during this First Mediterranean Economy Week are convinced, like the many personalities from the worlds of politics and economics who will be attending it, that Marseille and the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region are ideal locations for discussion and action between Europe and the Mediterranean.