Brussels, 06/07/2009 (Agence Europe) - The European Investment Bank (EIB), the ANIMA Investment Network and the European Commission have produced a collection of testimonies from entrepreneurs from both the Northern and Southern rims of the Mediterranean, to prove that cooperation is already an economic, social and human reality in the region. This affirmation, nonetheless, contrasts with the political difficulties restricting full dialogue between the EU and the Mediterranean rim countries.
The brochure will be presented to Euro-Mediterranean area ministers of the economy and finance meeting on Tuesday 7 July in Brussels. Copies of the brochure can be requested from the European Commission and the European Investment Bank.
The authors of the “Boosting Business in the Mediterranean” brochure explain that their publication presents successful projects and aims to “demonstrate the mutual benefit that comes from the process of integration launched in Barcelona in 1995”. The EIB and European Commission underline that “in these times of economic uncertainty, cooperation between Europe and the Mediterranean is more important than ever. With a population of around 750 million, the Euro-Mediterranean market could help both sides face competition from other regions in the world, but trade and investment flows need encouraging”.
The “MedAlliance” consortium of European and Mediterranean investment promotion agencies, business organisations and chambers of commerce organisations has identified a number of sectors that could be of interest to both large companies and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for investment, including distribution, logistics, construction including housing, urban development and associated energy and environmental services. (F.B./transl.rh)