Italian Stand Opens For Investors At AIM 2019

H.E Valentina Setta, Consul General of Italy in Dubai and Gianpaolo Bruno, Italian Trade Commissioner to the UAE, Oman and Pakistan officially opened the Italian country presentation at the Annual Investment Meeting 2019 (AIM), today at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

The Italian country presentation successfully highlighted foreign direct investment (FDI) opportunities in Italy and shared important economic features as well as investment data about the investment environment in Italy.

Keynote speakers included, Stefano Nigro, Head of Foreign Direct Investment Department – Italian Trade Agency, who focused on why Italy is a hot spot for foreign investment.

Patrizia Celia, Head of Large Caps, Investment Vehicles & Market Intelligence – Equity Primary Markets Borsa Italiana, and Francesca Chieti, Head of Institutional Investors Business Development – London Stock Exchange Group, analysed the Italian market opportunities for capital raising, investment and digital transformation, showing the new ecosystem to invest in the Italian real economy and the regulated market dedicated to investment vehicles.

There was a dedicated session on the opportunities of digital investment in Emilia Romagna region by Paola Maccani, Head of Unit Territorial Development and Attractiveness – Ervet, Emilia Romagna Regional Agency. Paola Maccani  highlighted various sectors including mechatronics and automotive, agri-food, construction, AI, ICT, health and wellbeing, culture and creativity.

Concluding speech by Alessandro Bonfiglioli, CEO – Agriculture and Food Centre of Bologna, focused on the largest food park in the world and agri-food logistics in Bologna. FICO Eataly World has 80,000 sqm food courts, with teaching and research areas dedicated to the wide range of Italian food, cuisine and culture, to become the reference framework for disclosure of agribusiness knowledge.

This is Italy’s second year of participation at AIM Congress, the largest global investment meeting of leaders, businessmen, national and international investors. At the Italian stand, potential investors can learn about doing business in Italy, one of the biggest markets in the EU with skilled workforce and good infrastructures. Italy is one of the main

manufacturing countries in the world and enjoys a strategic position, at the crossroads between Europe, Northern Africa and the Middle East. The Government supports foreign direct investment (FDI) via tax credits, including 25% for private investments in research and development (50% for projects with universities or research institutions) and 15% for investments in machinery and capital goods. Further public support is granted to new investments in manufacturing and R&D, especially in southern regions.

According to Gianpaolo Bruno, Italian Trade Commissioner to UAE, Oman and Pakistan: “We want investors to know that Italy has many opportunities for them in various sectors such as Electronics, ICT, Pharmaceuticals, machinery, consumer goods, automotive and others. That is why we are here at AIM to reach out to investors and create awareness about Italian market. As a one stop shop, the Italian Trade Agency takes care of the full investment cycle. We provide contacts, advice and support for foreign companies looking to invest and expand in Italy including assistance with the procedures to obtaining permits for investors. In AT Kearney 2018 FDI Confidence Index, Italy made a three-spot jump to 10th most attractive global investment destination. The 2018 spot builds on Italy’s 2017 rise of three places, from 16 to 13.  Italy is clearly where you should make your next investment.”