(Finance) – “Expo Dubai 2020 is certainly the largest international event after the general halt caused by the pandemic, an important showcase for Italy and for our companies of excellence operating abroad. But it is also an interesting opportunity of comparison and debate for us “experts”, a table at which we can sit together to analyze the new global trends and address the strategic choices of the next few years. An analysis activity necessary to be able to grasp the possibilities offered by international markets, which remain an important growth driver despite the inevitable impact of recent developments in the geopolitical scenario “thus he opened his speech Mauro Alfonso, managing director of Simesttaking part in the initiative “The Beauty of Italian Regions at Expo 2020 Dubai“, the day dedicated to the Regions from the Italian Pavilion of the universal exhibition.
“The wealth of Italy – continues Alfonso – undoubtedly puts its roots in the variety and genius of our talents, entrepreneurs and artisans who have been able to make the most of the opportunities offered by the varied geography of our country. These are precisely the qualities that nourish the so-called “economics of beauty“made up of quality consumer goods, such as fashion and food, of the creative industry, and therefore of design, culture and publishing, of tourism, but also, and increasingly, of technological goods and digital solutions”.
“A wide range of excellent products that has been developed over time thanks above all to the richness and variety of our territory, the real engine of the growth of the Italian economy. A large part of the exports of Made in Italy goods was, in fact, the the result of qualified local production systems in which cooperation and competition coexist. High sectoral specialization, high degree of entrepreneurship, search for quality and strong link with the social and environmental context: these are just some of the characteristics that have allowed our productions to compete on international markets and to successfully face the challenge of globalization “.
“It is precisely to our companies of excellence, tenacious and innovative, that the action of SIMEST: a support – not just financial – aimed at strengthening the Italian economic and productive fabric, projecting it into the world “.
“Parallel to recent economic developments, also the our action is increasingly orienting itself in providing investment support for Italian companies abroad along the new development guidelines “.
“For over 30 years – continued the CEO – we have supported the Made WITH Italy acquiring minority stakes in direct investment projects abroad: a support that gradually focuses on operations to improve production efficiency and digital innovation, with particular attention to improving the environmental impact. Today we can boast a portfolio of around 240 projects all over the world, for more than 770 million euros, of which 25 for around 40 million addressed to the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia, particularly in the mechanical industry sectors. , metallurgical and infrastructure “.
“We support Made IN Italy – he added – with subsidized credit lines aimed at favoring the expansion on foreign markets and the digital and ecological transition of Italian companies, in particular SMEs. A support that has been strengthened in the last two years thanks to the huge resources entrusted to us, first by the Government strategy – Pact for Export – aimed at favoring the economic recovery of post-pandemic Italy, then from Europe through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. In the last two years alone, we have helped more than 14 thousand companies to invest over 5.3 billion euros in internationalization and technological and sustainable innovation projects: of these, around 600 operations are aimed at expansion in the countries of the ME area. .NA.SA., Mainly for participation in fairs and exhibitions and the establishment of local commercial branches “.
“Finally, we have recently expanded our range of operations, also including the possibility of investing in Innovative SMEs or start-ups. These are realities that have proven to represent the true matrix of innovation and change processes because they are often oriented right from the start to the development of digital solutions for the production or management of processes. Since the last report drawn up by the Ministry of Economic Development, in 2020 they were born in Italy about 1300 startups and innovative SMEs, 10.4% more than the same figure in 2019: a fact that gives confidence in our country’s ability to innovate even in difficult situations “.
“Italy has once again demonstrated the its resilient, dynamic, creative and innovative nature, strong in a great tradition but at the same time capable of projecting itself towards the future. Our country, which has always been a supplier of excellent products to end consumers, now has all the possibilities to evolve its role in supporting the renewal of global production chains, with an offer of highly innovative intermediate goods and services. An image that finds in the United Arab Emirates, our important commercial partner, a platform to be relaunched in the markets of the Gulf, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and the rest of the world “.
“The Italian companies – concluded Mauro Alfonso – they cannot miss this opportunity, proposing itself as privileged interlocutors with the Middle East area. A dialogue capable of activating mutual enrichment thanks to a fruitful exchange of skills and know-how in the field of technological, scientific and industrial innovation. It is thanks to the development and implementation of these transversal skills that Italian beauty will be able to connect people, for inclusive and sustainable social growth and the economic recovery of our country beyond all borders. We can and must work together to build a new sustainable future “.