“Diplomacy for growth” is bearing its fruit, as demonstrated by Italian construction firms abroad, Minister Giulio Terzi noted during the conference for the presentation of the 2012 ANCE Report at the foreign ministry.
The report points out that 2011 was the sixth consecutive year of growth in the activity of construction firms abroad, whose total sales stood at more than half the overall total at 7.9 billion euro. Terzi adding that “renewed Italian competitiveness lies in “our firms’ deeper penetration into higher growth areas such as Asia and Africa”.
Foreign ministry supports enterprise
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Terzi then assured, “is renewing its commitment” to forge a systematic link with other actors by making its diplomatic network available and by “opening its doors to the business community, disclosing contacts and facilitating the conclusion of contracts, especially in those countries where, as a result of a strong State presence in the economy, local leaders are more likely to discuss public works contracts with foreign governments”.
Growth in Italian construction firms abroad is all the more significant at this moment of domestic market “sluggishness”, underscored ANCE President Paolo Buzzetti, who also pointed out how small and medium-sized businesses are involved in the creation of joint ventures with other countries and, among the other benefits, the “generation of development with local firms”.
MFA-MISE synergies
Deputy Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Mario Ciaccia pointed out the growing “synergies” between the MFA and MISE with regard to the internationalisation of our businesses, expressing the hope that the development of our construction sector abroad will act as a magnet for Italian economic sector.
Participants at the annual presentation of the ANCE Report, which is located within the framework of the strengthened collaboration between the foreign ministry and the business community’s international prospects, include construction industries, institutions and unions and representatives of the foreign diplomatic corps in Italy.
