Economic diplomacy is set to act as a beacon in promoting an effective presence for Italy throughout the world. So stated Minister Giulio Terzi in the interview published in the December 2011 edition of the “Diplomazia economica italiana” newsletter.
What are the geographical and strategic priorities for Italian Economic Diplomacy in 2012?
The priorities of Italian Economic Diplomacy are obviously linked to a clear goal, a goal, I would add, that we deem to be of fundamental importance: that of strengthening the presence of Italian enterprises in foreign markets, emerging markets especially. In our strategies this equates to putting in place initiatives, activities and instruments to enhance the ability of the Italian economic system as a whole to look outwards, by coordinating our initiatives and collaborating closely with the private sector.
From a geographical perspective, Italy needs to preserve and consolidate its positions within mature markets and take every step possible to strengthen its presence in emerging countries. Regions such as Asia, Latin America and Africa, which are of great interest to Italy and where the true stakes of the future are being set. There is significant room for growth in our economic and commercial relations and, in this knowledge, we are working with alacrity to take determined and incisive action to promote System Italy. I would like, however, to mention one further element.
Our attention remains strongly focused on the domestic front, where we are already working on initiatives to remedy those factors that, alas, weaken our country’s ability to attract inward investment. In collaboration with the United States Chamber of Commerce, we are conducting a survey on American companies in Italy. Its aim is to grasp and understand their point of view on the problems encountered by foreign operators in their day-to-day activities in Italy while at the same time giving them a sense that the institutions are working on their behalf.
“System Working” abroad is one of the tasks the Ministry has set itself in its work of promoting and assisting Italian companies operating internationally. What exactly does this term mean?
“System Working” means playing as a team: the more cohesive the players, the greater the probability of success. In addition to cohesion, however, we also need effective coordination. In this respect, with its ability to operate synergistically with all the actors of the “Country System”, the Ministry most definitely plays a decisive role. Take, for example, its action within the “Nerve Centre”, in concert with the Ministry for Economic Development and Infrastructure; its constant liaison with the worldwide network of Italian embassies and consulates; the coordination of the internationalisation initiatives implemented by regional and local authorities; or the constant dialogue and very real collaboration with leading interlocutors in the private sector.
Lastly, the international financial institutions often manage to create significant funding sources for major infrastructure projects, especially in developing countries. We realise that strengthening Italy’s presence within these institutions is one area on which we need to work to foster our companies’ penetration in such contexts.
Nor must we forget that our country possesses an immense artistic and cultural heritage, an asset of strategic importance that can play a decisive part in building up Italy’s soft power abroad. For this reason, I am convinced of the need for economic diplomacy to go hand-in-hand with cultural diplomacy and the need to think increasingly from the perspective of a “culture economy”. To provide a concrete response to this need, the recent Foreign Ministry reform led to the creation of a new Directorate General for the Promotion of the “Country System”. This has enabled us to draw all the aspects relating to economic, cultural and scientific promotion together in one single strategic framework.
One common and frequent demand from Italian companies is for greater flexibility and speed by our embassies and consulates in issuing business visas. Are there any initiatives planned in this respect?
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is aware of the vital importance of the work of issuing entry visas to Italy. This task is essential to the movement of entrepreneurs who, through their daily work, help build up the network of economic and commercial relations linking our economy to foreign markets. But this activity must at all times be balanced with the objective of combating illegal immigration to our country.
That said, I can quote some figures that testify to the Foreign Ministry’s growing commitment to streamlining the issuing of business and tourism visas. 2010 saw a 9% increase on the previous year in visa applications handled by our diplomatic-consular network, which reached a historic peak of over 1.2 million. Visas issued to citizens of Turkey, the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China increased by over 30% on the previous year, and those to Indian citizens by 10%. Moscow, Shanghai, Beijing and Mumbai once again saw the highest numbers of visas issued, a fact that testifies to the increased attention being devoted to this aspect.
