The MEB enhances its relationships with French chambers of commerce and industry

On 17 and 18 September, over two intensive days, the Monaco Economic Board established new relations with two regional French economic entities: the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) of Bordeaux Gironde, in partnership with Carlo, and the Public Establishment of Commerce and Industry (EPCI) of Corsica, as part of the Monaco Business trade show. Productive exchanges laid the groundwork for future collaborations that will benefit companies in the Principality.

It was through the start-up Carlo, well known in the Principality for its payment app that rewards users for every purchase made in a local shop, that the visit of the CCI of Bordeaux Gironde took place. Also present in the French wine capital, Carlo has established a strong relationship with various retail players in the region, including the CCI. Interested in the Monegasque destination, its representatives expressed a wish to explore the Principality through two of its sectors of excellence: retail and tourism. Their aim was to exchange experiences and learn from best practices.

Carlo and the MEB jointly organised a forum at MonacoTech to support this exchange. After a brief introduction to the Monegasque Chamber of Commerce and Monaco's economic landscape, Guillaume Rose, our CEO, led two engaging panels that showcased the Principality's unique characteristics and successful strategies, while also addressing the challenges it faces in these sectors.

Corinne Bertani, Vice-President for Commerce and Attractiveness on the Finance and National Economy Commission of the National Council, and Alexandre Pasta, President of the Union of Merchants and Artisans of Monaco, successively highlighted the complementarity and diversity of shops in the Principality, while emphasising the local business community's ability to adapt to changes in customer habits.

During the second panel, Guy Antognelli, Director of Tourism and Conferences, and Axel Hoppenot, former Director of Marketing and Sales at Monte-Carlo SBM and currently a Foreign Trade Adviser for France, highlighted the unique assets the Principality benefits from for its tourism, beginning with the Grand Prix, which they described as "by far the biggest global promotional campaign for the Principality."

Following these exchanges, the representatives from Gironde subsequently introduced their region, which shares several similarities with Monaco, beginning with a well-known brand, Bordeaux, renowned worldwide.

After visiting the digital showcase that is MonacoTech, the two delegations reconvened early in the evening for a networking reception attended by Monegasque entrepreneurs interested in or already established in Gironde.

The Monaco Economic Board also seized the opportunity to welcome another delegation, that of the EPCI of Corsica, which arrived as part of the Monaco Business trade show the following day. The islanders thus constituted a third group of decision-makers and entrepreneurs, increasing opportunities for exchanges and networking in a very convivial atmosphere.

Each year, the Monaco Economic Board faithfully partners with the Monaco Business trade show, an event that brings together entrepreneurs and decision-makers from Monaco and the Côte d'Azur. Since the Covid crisis, the Monegasque chamber of commerce has entered into partnership agreements with local economic organisations within this framework.

For this edition, a framework partnership agreement was signed by the two Presidents, Michel Dotta for the MEB and Gilles Simeoni for the EPCI of Corsica. This partnership will promote exchanges between companies, skills, and sectors, with follow-up in tourism, boating, and training for hospitality and events professions.

On the same day, the rapprochement was materialised on site through a shared stand at the centre of the trade fair. Visitors were thus able, with the support of the MEB, to establish contact with a key entity on the Isle of Beauty, thereby connecting to its entire economic ecosystem. Beyond meetings and information exchanges, a genuine business accelerator was put in place. 

The future Monaco Chamber of Commerce thus reaffirms its ambition to strengthen its collaborations with its counterparts, particularly those in France. By the end of this year, its representatives will travel to Ajaccio and Bordeaux to explore opportunities for upcoming economic missions on the ground. 

* In previous editions of the Monaco Business trade show, the MEB established partnership agreements with the Nice Côte d'Azur Metropolitan Area, the Nice Côte d'Azur Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Italian Chamber of Commerce of Nice, the Sophia Antipolis Foundation, the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the ALPMED group of CCIs.