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Invest in Italy? Why Not?
In June the FDI Desk at the Italian Trade Commission’s Toronto office organized an event to highlight the investment opportunities in Italy. The seminar was hosted by KPMG in Toronto  with a great attendance. The roster of speakers from Italy are as follows: 
  • Giovanni Majnoni d'Intignano, Chief Representative for North America, of Banca d’Italia-Eurosistema 
  • Stefano Nigro, Director of the Foreign Direct Investment Department, Italian Trade Agency 
  • Marco D'Acunto, Invest in Italy
  • Marco Fragale, Futur-e project, ENEL
  • Ambra Nicole Strub, Logistic & Infrastructure, Invitalia
  • Antonio Augimeri and Francesca Pardeo, Life Sciences,  Biotecnomed 
  • The Ambassador of the Italian Republic in Canada, 
  • Claudio Taffuri 
  • Italian Trade Commissioner to Canada - Matteo Picariello 
The presentations from each spokesperson were compelling. Arguably the most revealing speech, was delivered by Francesco Cereda, Symbola, Foundation for Italian Qualities and it was titled  “Italy In 10 Selfies”.

He pointed out some less known facts about Italy such as:
  • Italy is one of the 5 countries with manufacturing surplus exceeding a huge 100 billion USD.
  • Italy is the world’s leading manufacturers of make up and also the first to eliminate microplastics from cosmetics).
  • Italian wood furniture industry ranks second in the world in terms of trade surplus.
  • Fashion: Italy is the world's second largest clothing industry in terms of market shares.
  • Italy is the most sustainable agricultural sector in the EU, in terms of carbon gas emissions.
  • It is estimated that almost 77% of Italy’s economy is classified as circular vs 53% of France’s and 43% of Germany’s. 
  • Italy is the leader in pharmaceutical production in the EU - before Germany, England, France and Spain.
  • Italy is Europe’s leading bicycle exporters.
These facts indicate that Italy’s economy relies heavily on technology, innovation and sustainability but also focuses on the role of the manufacturing industry.

In fact, the Toronto seminar also included two case studies and testimonials of global manufacturing companies which set up operations in Italy: Magna International (Headquarters in Canada)  and NTN Bearing (Headquarters in Japan).

It is not by accident that Italy will be hosting, once more, the World Manufacturing Forum, which will take place at the end of September in Cernobbio. Over 1 thousand delegates from 50 countries and more than 50 high profile speakers will be meeting in the beautiful countryside of Villa Erba to discuss about the “New Skills For Future Manufacturing” and to network with peers.

As a partner of the event, the Italian Trade Commission is organizing a delegation of  Canadian investors and companies active in the manufacturing sector will attend the Forum.   

For additional information on this event or to request copies of the Toronto’s investment seminar, please contact machinesitalia [at] ice.it ?subject=Machines Italia E-newsletter">machinesitalia [at] ice.it