The Association of the Mediterranean Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ASCAME) is a non-profit international organisation that represents the Mediterranean private sector, regrouping Chambers of Commerce and Industry and other similar entities from both shores of the Mediterranean. ASCAME was founded on 1st October 1982. The Constitutive General Assembly was held in Barcelona, hosted by the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Navigation. Nowadays, ASCAME is the main representative of the Mediterranean private sector with a network of over 300 Chambers of Commerce from the 23 countries around the Mediterranean basin. ASCAME is a consolidated entity that represents the interest of the Mediterranean Chambers of Commerce and the Mediterranean private sector, also being accredited as an economic partner of the European Union and other international organisations in carrying out economic cooperation projects. ASCAME represents North and South Chambers and businesses regardless of their size and sector of activity. History The Association of the Mediterranean Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ASCAME) was founded on October 1, 1982, as an initiative of the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with its counterparts from different Mediterranean countries. Beginning with approximately ten founding members in 1982, today ASCAME has grown to bring together over 300 hundred Chambers of Commerce and similar institutions, from 23 Mediterranean countries. ASCAME was created with the primary goal of furthering economic cooperation throughout the Mediterranean region, showing a strategic vision of North-South cooperation and integration. This vision was confirmed in Barcelona by the establishment of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership in 1995. Nowadays, almost 40 years since its inception, this strategic vision has been strongly reinforced. Through ASCAME, the private sector is positioned in the regional political agenda to catalyst solutions that can answer accordingly to the changing socioeconomic scenarios in the region. Objectives According to article 3 of the Statutes, “The fundamental purpose of this Association is to establish permanent contacts and forge lasting relationships among its members in order to co-ordinate, implement and promote studies and joint actions with a view to developing economic exchanges and co-operation within the Mediterranean area of international scope.” The objectives that the association wants to achieve are: Establishment of a network of Chambers of Commerce and organisations working in the field of cooperation and economic exchange between countries in the Mediterranean region Promotion and search of synergies between these countries' economies Creation of working ties between peer institutions aimed at encouraging international cooperation