Brussels, 22/11/2013 (Agence Europe) - The secretary general of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), Fathallah Sijilmassi, argued in favour of supporting regional integration, citing above all the UfM. when attending the 2013 session of the World Economic Forum held in Abu Dhai (United Arab Emirates) on 18 and 19 November. Focus was also on presenting all regional projects promoted by the UfM to fund providers at the meeting, mainly the Gulf countries.
The theme chosen for the session - “Shaping global and regional transformations” - gave rise to debates involving well-known figures from the world of politics and business from different countries (Japan, Europe, Latin America, the Arab world and Asia). According to the UfM, they reviewed “new models to accelerate global cooperation as an important vehicle for promoting economic growth and human development”. The UfM noted renewed interest from regional groups as a better way to move forward at an operational level.
The essential question remains that of how to fund regional projects. Sijilmassi explained that the economic operators of Gulf countries present showed great interest in projects developed within the UfM framework, and insisted that the region needs concrete and tangible action to the benefit of the people and with a view to greater market integration. Bilateral contacts took place with those economic operators, both public and private, for the funding of approved projects, he added, above all citing the Med4Jobs programme (job creation) and a project in favour of innovative enterprise (Injazz), which are said to have given rise to considerable interest. (FB/transl.jl)