On November 22nd was held the the MEDA Women Entrepreneurs Forum, c-organized by the Association of Mediterranean Business Women’s Organizations (AFAEMME) in collaboration with the Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of the Mediterranean (ASCAME) in collaboration with the  Barcelona Chamber of Commerce . This event is the largest businesswomen entrepreneurial gathering in the region and aims to accelerate the growth of women-owned businesses by improving their access to information, contacts and capital.

It was structured in two sessions: the first one was led by women presidents of business organizations and women public authorities, among whom was one of our founding members, Nathalie Pilhes. She insisted that companies that have women in decision-making positions increase their capacities and stated that “the presence of women in the public and private sector is a matter of general interest that benefits the entire society, not only women”.

The second session gave prominence to women entrepreneurs and presidents of women’s business associations throughout the Mediterranean, who shared the obstacles and challenges they have faced throughout their careers, as well as their successes. We could hear the experiences of the president and the vice-president of two members of the Foundation: the Jordan Forum for Business & Professional Women (JFBPW) and the Woman Entrepreneurs Association of Turkey (KAGIDER), respectively.

This took place within the frame of The Mediterranean Week of Economic Leaders (MEDAWEEK), arranged with the support of ASCAME, Barcelona Chamber of Commerce, the Union for the Mediterranean, the European Institute of the Mediterranean, Barcelona Zona Franca Consortium and the Spanish Chamber of Commerce.

Photo credit: AFAEMME