The Union of Mediterranean Confederations of Enterprises (BUSINESSMED) is a regional professional organisation created thanks to the will, determination and militancy of the federations' presidents of the twelve members and which aims at accelerating the integration and the social and economic development in the region. BUSINESSMED headquarters, based in Tunis since its creation in January 2004, ensures a permanent contact with the federations of the twelve Mediterranean Partner Countries that it represents. BUSINESSMED main objective is economic integration within Europe and World economy. BUSINESSMED MISSIONS AND OBJECTIVES « Employers in the countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, call for the implementation of a strong and coherent economic strategy with the objective of liberalizing North-South and South-South exchanges, prosperity of the peoples and sustainability of the Mediterranean patrimony» through: Mediterranean integration Increasing exchange between the European Union and the Mediterranean countries Enhancing technological transfer towards South-Mediterranean countries Increasing foreign direct investment flows Implementing a regulatory framework for investors Endeavoring to make the Union for the Mediterranean not only political but also economic and social Creating a free trade area around the Mediterranean basin by 2020 Undertaking partnership actions between the various business communities in the region Lobbying and business advocating for a wider participation of the private sector in the actions to be undertaken by governments in order to achieve a prosperous free trade area.