Zona Franca de Barcelona awarded with the ASCAME Mediterranean Medal for DFactory work

• The special delegate of the State in the CZFB, Pere Navarro, receives the Medal that recognises the effort and role of DFactory Barcelona as a benchmark ecosystem for Industry 4.0 in the Mediterranean.

• An agreement between ASCAME and CZFB to activate joint transformation initiatives in the Mediterranean within DFactory building was announced at the opening ceremony of MedaWeek 2022.

• ASCAME is the most important voice of the Mediterranean private sector, bringing together more than 300 members from 23 countries framing the Mediterranean Sea.

Barcelona, 17 November 2022. Consorci de la Zona Franca de Barcelona (CZFB) has been awarded with the Mediterranean Medal by the ASCAME (Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of the Mediterranean). The prize was received for CZFB’s valuable contribution to the development and economic transformation of DFactory Barcelona, the most important Industry 4.0 ecosystem in the Mediterranean.

During the Gala dinner of the Mediterranean Week of Economic Leaders (MedaWeek Barcelona) that took place last night, the special delegate of the State in the CZFB, Pere Navarro, received from the President of ASCAME, Mr. Ahmed El Wakil, the distinction of the Association. The company was awarded due the work being done by the DFactory Barcelona’s state-of-the-art building in areas related to Industry 4.0 and how it is serving as a business engine for the entire Mediterranean region. Furthermore, this building serves as an example of the right cooperation between public institutions and private companies to promote the business and industrial fabric.

Moreover, during the opening ceremony of MedaWeek, an important collaboration agreement between the two organisations was signed by Ahmed El Wakil and Pere Navarro with the goal of promoting actions and initiatives at DFactory. The aim is to foster relations between Chambers of Commerce, industry and the private sector in the Mediterranean. In addition to this, to establish a strong collaborative framework to create a leading platform for professionals looking to meet innovative companies, driven by the digital transformation of essential sectors is also an objective.

“It is an honour for us to receive such a significant international recognition from the Mediterranean Chambers of Commerce and Industry. Since DFactory was first opened, we have been working to make it a place of collaboration in the Industry 4.0 era, where companies have the possibility of generating synergies and establishing alliances with the rest of the companies located in the building, with a clearly global projection.”, says Pere Navarro. “Furthermore, thanks to this new agreement, DFactory Barcelona aims to be a catalyst for the Mediterranean, promoting dialogue and cooperation, and taking on the challenges of the factory of the future with the aim of turning the building into a Hub of reference in innovation for the whole region.”

DFactory is a sustainable and unique centre that is characterised by contributing to the transformation of the regional productive framework and supporting companies during their digitalisation process, as well as promoting the creation of an ecosystem to attract talent, technology and investment. The initiative includes companies developing state-of-the-art projects in several fields. For instance, 3D printing, robotics, cybersecurity and blockchain, artificial intelligence and sensor technology. In fact, in its short journey, DFactory has already an occupancy rate of 60%, with more than 30 companies and 500 people working in a unique 17,000-square-metre building.

The project is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda, facilitating the digitisation of industry as a key factor for the green transition and boosting circular economy through the adoption of new sustainable production systems and advanced manufacturing.

The Mediterranean Medal is awarded annually to personalities, companies or institutions that have stood out for their contribution of making the Mediterranean a place of encounter, tolerance, friendship and prosperity; for their contribution to the economic empowerment of women and young people; for job creation; for their work to promote cooperation and economic development in the Mediterranean; as well as to Mediterranean companies or institutions whose global expansion has helped to promote the Mediterranean economy in the world.

ASCAME (Association of Mediterranean Chambers of Commerce and Industry) is the most important organisation representing the Mediterranean private sector. It brings together Chambers of Commerce and Industry, as well as similar entities from both shores of the Mediterranean region -today, more than 300 members from 23 countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea-. Through MedaWeek Barcelona, the association develops a range of conferences focused on promoting Mediterranean economies around the world. This event supports the key economic sectors and cultural values of this region through a wide variety of forums.