Posted on May 29, 2024
As part of the CREATC4MED project, project partner BUSINESSMED organized the second online mainstreaming event on Thursday 23rd May, 2024. The event brought together representatives from the private sector, civil society organisations, and public authorities, and was moderated by a regional expert in sustainable finance and strategy. The discussion featured panelists from Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Jordan and Palestine, and focused on several key topics relating to how to increase private sector involvement and support for the cultural and creative industries in the Southern Mediterranean.
The panellists were:
- Mr. Mohamed Al Khalaileh, Director Of Studies And Strategies Department of Jordan Chamber of Industry
- Mr. Saif Aqel, Board member of Seeds for development and culture, Palestine
- Mrs. Roia Zenata, Project Manager in the General Confederation of Algerian Enterprises
- Mr. Ahmed Jaber, Board Member of the Association of Lebanese Industrialists
- Dr Ayah Elarief, the Founder & CEO of Warrd and Managing Director of MENA Women Business Club
- Mr.Ziad Bensalla, Strategic Development Manager at Casablanca Patrimoine, Morocco
Around 50 participants attended the panel, gaining in-depth insights from the experiences shared by the speakers. The discussions highlighted how this sector can significantly boost employment and outlined the main financial obstacles and the necessary steps to develop successful projects.
One of the key strategies emphasized was the linkage between the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and CCIs. Panelists discussed how such alignment could transform the future of these industries by facilitating access to finance, which is essential for addressing urgent issues related to SDGs, such as climate challenges, gender mainstreaming, and youth employment.
Additionally, the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in CCIs was explored. The panel underscored the importance of AI in developing new processes and dynamics within the CCIs, emphasizing that this sector needs significant attention and investment to drive innovation and growth.
Overall, the event provided a valuable platform for sharing knowledge and strategies to enhance the CCI sector’s contribution to sustainable development and economic growth in the region.
CREACT4MED is a project funded by the EU through the EuropeAid Programme, which aims to strengthen businesses with the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs). It seeks to support entrepreneurs, start-ups and SMEs, create jobs, and foster sustainable economic growth in the Southern Mediterranean, with a particular focus on young people and women. It is led by the Euro-Mediterranean Economists Association (EMEA) (Coordinator).