Italy is at its first experience as guest of honour of the International Technology Fair in Shanghai, which was opened on April 21 by the Italian Minister of Education, University and Research, Stefania Giannini, and by Chinese Minister of Science and Technology, Wan Gang. This honour confirms Italy’s high-end profile as a technologically advanced Country in a Country that is shifting from being prevalently manufacturing-based to being an increasingly articulated and diversified economy. The Italian delegation was received at top political level by Chinese Minister Wan Gang and the Mayor of Shanghai, Yang Xiong.
During the last ten years, the scientific and technological cooperation between Italy and China has been greatly boosted. Proof of this is the upcoming sixth edition of the bilateral Technological Innovation Forum and the nearly 500 agreements entered into by Italian and Chinese research centres and laboratories.
At the International Technology Fair Italy, consistently with the priorities set forth by the Italy-China Governmental Committee, will present its projects for Smart Cities, with a special focus on sustainable urban development.
Italy’s participation in the International Technology Fair is an important initiative aimed at promoting an integrated approach to economic, scientific and technological aspects. Present at the Fair are representatives of the Italian Ministries of Education, University and Research, of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, of the Environment and of Economic Development, in addition to the Italian Trade Agency ICE, represented by 60 entities including companies, consortia, research institutes and universities, in order to show the best of Italian technology and give momentum to promoting Italian companies.
Shanghai, China’s largest city with 25 million inhabitants and a GDP of 350 billion euros, more than that of Denmark and South Africa, aims at becoming an international hub for research and innovation.
Italian Undersecretary of State for the Environment, Barbara Degani, and the Director General for Italy’s Country Promotion, Vincenzo De Luca, took part in a round table on bilateral cooperation in science and technology.
On 22 April the Italian mission will close with the first Internationalisation Roadshow held abroad, including presentations on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI), ICE, SACE and SIMEST and on 100 Italian companies.
