ECONOMIC CONTEXT
Even in the framework of the current economic and financial crisis, South and East Mediterranean rim Countries have closed 2009 with a growth rate averaging 4%, and a forecasted 5% annual increase in 2010-2011.
The Euro-Mediterranean region represents a potential market of over 600 million consumers.
The rate of trade between the EU and South and East Mediterranean rim Countries has reached €250 Billions in 2009.
OBJECTIVES
The “Economic and Financial Forum for the Mediterranean” has the aim of elaborating a series of concrete projects and initiatives for the economic development and integration in the Euro-Mediterranean region, through dialogue and open discussion between Governments and the private sector towards identifying:
- political, economic and social priorities for action in the Mediterranean region;
- new solutions for growth, including the constitution of a free-trade area;
- support instruments towards economic cooperation between the Micro, Small and Medium sized Enterprises in the Euro-Mediterranean region;
- innovative modalities for harmonisation, integration and interconnection of networks for energy production and distribution, with a particular focus on sources of renewable energy;
- support to the implementation and development of transport infrastructures for persons, data and goods in the Mediterranean region;
- new forms of partnership between public and private sector (PPP) towards favouring the implementation of development projects in the Mediterranean region.