EBCAM at the European Development Days (EDD) 2022
Last week EBCAM took part in the European Development Days (EDD) 2022, held in Brussels, 21-22 June. The EDD is Europe’s leading forum on international partnerships and this year, as in previous editions, brought together partners to share ideas and experiences that will shape the future of development. It offered the private sector a unique opportunity for involvement with other key stakeholders. The five core topics included energy, transport, education and research, health and energy.
Over the two days, about 4000 people visited the in-person event, with another 3500 joining us online. The event included 79 sessions, with speakers from all over the world – totaling more than 59 hours. 83 stands brought the 5 themes to life in our Global Village and 9 exhibitions added to the experience.
If you were attending in person or were following the event digitally but missed a session or want to go back to the one you took part in, you will find everything on the EDD website. Sessions from Day 1 and Day 2 of the EDD have already been uploaded to their website. There you will find the photo gallery, video gallery and notes and drawings that sum up the brainstorming sessions.
If you want to relive the EDD 2022 experience in a couple of minutes, you might like to check out the wrap-up video, which we hope you will agree captures the spirit of a fun-packed, informative two days.
EBCAM Secretary General attends Afrika-Verein discussion with the EU Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen in Berlin on 19 May 2022
EBCAM Secretary General attended EBCAM member Afrika-Verein discussion with the EU Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen in Berlin on 19 May about the implementation of the Global Gateway initiative and the role of the European private sector.
During the meeting, the private sector had the chance to express its concerns, needs and perspectives in the context of the public-private partnership dialogue, a fruitful process where EBCAM plays an importatn role representing the European private sector that invest in the future and development of the African continent.
EBCAM representation in the Tunisia Africa Business Council conference "Financing Investment and trade in Africa" in Tunisia
EBCAM and CIAN President Étienne Giros and Eivind Fjeldstad, CEO of EBCAM member Norwegian-African Business Association (NABA); represented the European private sector as panelists at Tunisia Africa Business Council conference "Financing Investment and trade in Africa" in Tunisia on 25 May 2022.
EBCAM President Etienne Giros awarded French National Order of Merit
EBCAM President Etienne Giros awarded Officer of the French National Order of Merit
On Wednesday 9 March 2022 EBCAM President Etienne Giros was awarded the honor of Officer of the French National Order of Merit by Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, Ministre délégué auprès du ministre de l’Europe et des Affaires étrangères, chargé du Tourisme, des Français de l'étranger et de la Francophonie et auprès du ministre de l’Économie, des Finances et de la Relance, chargé des Petites et Moyennes Entreprises.
Etienne Giros was bestowed this award for his venerable achievements during a long and distinguished career in French and international business.
Memorandum of Understanding European Business Council for Africa and the Mediterranean (EBCAM) - The Spanish Exporters and Investors Club
Memorandum of Understanding
European Business Council for Africa and the Mediterranean (EBCAM) - The Spanish Exporters and Investors Club
Brussels, 31 December 2021
The European Business Council for Africa and the Mediterranean (EBCAM) announces the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Spanish Exporters and Investors Club.
The Spanish Exporters and Investors Club has been in existence since 1997 and is a multisectorial, non-profit, independent, business association whose objective is to represent and defend the interests of the members in their international activity. They have consolidated their position as a leader of internationalisation in Spain and are a recognized liaison before the Spanish Administration, as well as before public and private institutions, international organisations and the media. The joint turnover of their members is equivalent to 20% of Spanish GDP, employing 800 000 people and their overseas investment projects constituting 50% of total Spanish international investment.
EBCAM participates with presentation by the Secretary General Dr. Spachis at the EPP Hearing with External Experts WG External Policies 12/01/2021
The EPP Group in the European Parliament held a hearing with external experts to address common EU-Africa challenges on 12 January, 2022, in Brussels (with remote participation). EBCAM was selected to represent the private sector with a presentation by the Secretary General Dr. Alexandros Spachis on investments in Africa.
Other prominent speakers included: representative from the African Continental Free Trade Area), Dr Vera Songwe (United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa).
The hearing gathered Members of the EPP Group, namely from the committees on Foreign Affairs, Development, and Trade, to address common challenges and opportunities in relation to trade, investment and job creation, peace and security, education, climate change, development cooperation, as well as agriculture and food (in)security.
High Level Launch Event for the EABF22 – the 7th EU-Africa Business Forum
On Friday the 26th of November the African Union Commission for Trade and Industry and the European Commission for International Partnerships hosted an online High Level Launch Event for the EABF22 – the 7th EU-Africa Business Forum. The EABF22 will take place in a hybrid format in Brussels on the 16th and 17th of February 2022, back-to-back with the EU-Africa Summit which is to be held on the 17th and 18th of February, also in Brussels. The meeting was moderated by Ms. Tamsin Rose, a Senior Fellow at the Africa-Europe Foundation, and the introductory presentation was made by H.E. Albert Muchanga, African Union Commissioner for Trade and Industry.
Mr. Etienne Giros, the President of the European Business Council for Africa was invited as a speaker to give valuable insights into the role of European investment on the African continent. Drawing attention to the over €100 billion in turnover generated in Africa by the 5000 companies represented by EBCAM’s member associations, he encouraged attendance at the EABF22 as it presents an invaluable networking opportunity, a great occasion to hear business leaders and experts and, finally, a chance to obtain answers to substantial questions such as the EU financing system.
Partnership Agreement European Business Council for Africa and the Mediterranean (EBCAM) - East African Chamber of Commerce (EACCIA)
Partnership Agreement
European Business Council for Africa and the Mediterranean (EBCAM) - East African Chamber of Commerce (EACCIA)
Brussels, 22 November 2021
The European Business Council for Africa and the Mediterranean (EBCAM) announces the partnership agreement with the East African Chamber of Commerce (EACCIA)
The East African Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (EACCIA) has been in existence since September 2005 when it was legally incorporated in Nairobi, Kenya, with the main objective of lobbying for the creation of a conducive environment for cross border trade and investment in the East African Community (EAC) member states. EACCIA represents chambers of commerce in 10 countries in the Eastern Africa region with a collective membership base of over 100,000 corporates comprising the entire spectrum from small, medium and large enterprises.
EBCAM Secretary General Mr. Alexandros Spachis as panelist at the 61st Conference of the European Trade Promotion Organisations’ Association (ETPOA)
The 61st Conference of the European Trade Promotion Organisations on "Connecting Europe with Africa: promoting economic collaboration and dialogue", was hosted in Athens by Enterprise Greece (Hellenic Investment and Foreign Trade Company), on 21-22 October 2021.
The hybrid conference was attended by senior and top executives of European Export Promotion Organisations, representatives of Directorates General of the European Commission and international organisations such as the UN and OECD, as well as senior executives of European and African companies in the energy and high-tech sectors.
EBCAM's Secreatery General Mr. Spachis presented European private sector's perspectives, needs and concerns towards a sustainable development of the African continent. He made also valuable recommendations on a dynamic public-private partnership which can succesfully prevent unethical competition by non-western players in Africa. In the same panel, called "EU international cooperation and development", Mr. Mousouris, the President of the Hellenic-African Chamber of Commerce and Development (member of EBCAM), presented the perspective of the Greek companies that invest in Africa.
Partnership Agreement European Business Council for Africa and the Mediterranean (EBCAM) - The Association of the Mediterranean Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ASCAME)
Partnership Agreement
European Business Council for Africa and the Mediterranean (EBCAM) - The Association of the Mediterranean Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ASCAME)
Brussels, 16 July 2021
The European Business Council for Africa and the Mediterranean (EBCAM) is happy to announce the partnership agreement with the Association of the Mediterranean Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ASCAME).
ASCAME is a non-profit international organisation that represents the private sector of the Mediterranean, regrouping the Chambers of Commerce and Industry and similar entities from 23 countries of both shores of the region.