The CPMR’s Balkan and Black Sea Commission (BBSC) attended the ‘BluAct’ Transnational Meeting in Piraeus, Greece on 29-30 August, where it provided an update on regional activities to promote investment in the Maritime Economy.

The BluAct meeting brought together political representatives and policy officers from the Port of Piraeus and seven other European port cities involved in the ‘BluAct’ Transfer Network.

The aim of this innovative network is to introduce and incorporate the good practices of the Piraeus Blue Growth Initiative (BGI), which the Piraeus Municipality has been implementing since 2014, in the seven other port cities.

The Piraeus BGI* is a structured entrepreneurship and innovation competition focusing on the marine and maritime economy and was the first EU level innovation competition for the Blue Economy.

In his presentation, Stavros Kalognomos, BBSC Executive Secretary, outlined further opportunities for cooperation between stakeholders across Europe, with a specific focus on the wider Black Sea region.

Christos Economou, Head of Unit, Maritime Policy Mediterranean and Black Sea, of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE), also spoke at the meeting about the Commission’s future plans in relation to Blue Investment.

The BLUES Project, in which the CPMR is an associated partner, was presented at the meeting. This project, coordinated by the Municipality of Piraeus (GR), involves Enoros Consulting (CY), Marine Cluster Bulgaria (BG), Latvian Maritime Academy (LV), Barcelona Cluster Nautic (ES).

It aims to promote the development of the blue economy in the partner countries, strengthen cooperation between industry and education, fill the skills gap in this sector, and raise awareness of blue careers.

*The appropriate adaptation and adoption of BGI good practice in each port city is expected to encourage the implementation of innovative business ideas on the Blue Economy, with the goal of creating new sustainable jobs and an innovative ecosystem around the Blue Growth sector.