{"id":197020,"date":"2026-06-30T09:15:10","date_gmt":"2026-06-30T07:15:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.esteri.it\/sala_stampa\/archivionotizie\/\/2026\/06\/tajani-agli-imprenditori-abbiate-fiducia-faremo-di-piu-gazzetta-di-parma\/"},"modified":"2026-06-30T16:44:55","modified_gmt":"2026-06-30T14:44:55","slug":"tajani-agli-imprenditori-abbiate-fiducia-faremo-di-piu-gazzetta-di-parma","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.esteri.it\/en\/sala_stampa\/archivionotizie\/interviste\/2026\/06\/tajani-agli-imprenditori-abbiate-fiducia-faremo-di-piu-gazzetta-di-parma\/","title":{"rendered":"Tajani\u2019s Call to Entrepreneurs: “Trust us, we will do more” (Gazzetta di Parma)"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Italian manufacturing system is healthier than you might think, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs supports companies that want to conquer new global markets. This was the message conveyed by the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, from the stage of the Teatro Regio<\/em> at the 81st annual Assembly of the Parma Industrialists’ Union, during a debate with the national President of Confindustria, Emanuele Orsini. The debate was moderated by Fabio Tamburini, editor-in-chief of Il Sole 24 Ore<\/em>, Radio 24, and Radiocor.<\/p>\n

The Duty of Optimism<\/strong><\/p>\n

“Be optimistic. Be what you are,” was Minister Tajani’s call to Italian companies. “We need to do more to reduce the bureaucratic burden. The energy issue is crucial, which is the reason why we have tried to reverse the trend by focusing on nuclear power. We will try to further reduce costs with renewable energy, also focusing on biofuel. Changing European rules on ETS markets is also crucial,\u201d the Minister added, referring to the EU ETS, the European Union’s emissions trading scheme. \u201cThere has been a reversal of trend within the EU institutions, but it is not enough,\u201d he said. \u201cWe will continue to fight, we will stand our ground and not budge an inch.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEnough Ideologies and Divisions\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cAs a convinced European, I hope EU institutions will understand what is happening around us, because right now I see the United States and China playing the game, while Europe is acting as a referee, and instead of producing goods, it is producing rules,\u201d Emanuele Orsini, representing the business community, added. \u201cI therefore urge Europe to stop producing rules and start implementing industrial policies for growth. I urge politicians to continue working together for the good of the country. To all politicians, majority and opposition, I wish to say that on issues of national interest there can be no ideologies or divisions. If we care about the country, we shall remove ideologies and rush to do what is needed.”<\/p>\n

Italy has overtaken Japan<\/strong><\/p>\n

Tamburini pointed out: “We have achieved a historic outcome, because in recent months Italy has already overtaken Japan, becoming the world’s fourth largest exporter.” Minister Tajani did not speak of a miracle, but of a goal achieved thanks in part to the commitment of his Ministry. “We worked to achieve this goal,” he assured. “We have revolutionized the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. For the first time, a General Directorate for Growth has been created. We have worked to establish our presence in new markets.”<\/p>\n

Minister Tajani emphasized that the international agreements signed in recent months have given a decisive boost to exports. “With our decisive vote, we adopted the agreement with Mercosur, and in the first month, thanks to the new rules, we have seen a 21% increase in exports.” In short, a more than positive result that would disprove the fears and criticism of those who regarded the agreement as a risk to European companies.<\/p>\n

The markets to target, however, are not limited to South America. “We have managed to lower tariffs in some sectors and will continue to work to lower them, just as we will continue to work with India, Australia, and Mexico to promote exports,” he assured.<\/p>\n

Minister Tajani also focused on local export figures. “In terms of exports, Parma is ahead of other Italian cities. This means that there is a business community achieving excellent results outside of Italy. We can therefore reach the \u20ac700 billion export target by the end of next year. Today, we are at almost \u20ac650 billion,” he added, referring to national targets.<\/p>\n

The Role of Embassies<\/strong><\/p>\n

In view of helping companies investing abroad, entrepreneurs shall not be left alone. Minister Tajani explained that, in this respect, Embassies are playing a crucial role, and have gained new relevance with his Ministry. “We have made all our Embassies available to our companies so that they never feel alone,” he said. \u201cWe are breaking down all bureaucratic barriers between Embassies and companies. We organize B2B meetings where entrepreneurs meet directly with the Ambassador during Export Days. We want to ensure that as many companies as possible have direct contact with our Embassies.”<\/p>\n

Thirteenth Month’s Pay, Healthcare, and Private Funds<\/strong><\/p>\n

“We are Europe’s second industrial power and the world’s fourth largest trader. Despite the difficulties, the economic situation is better than that of other European countries,” Minister Tajani stated. He listed some data: “\u20ac33 billion less in tax burden from 2022 to date; 1.2 million more jobs; a reduction in the spread, and growth in the stock market.\u00a0 From an economic standpoint, this country is alive. We need to be more optimistic and use this data to improve. It must and can be done, especially regarding the lowest wages and the tax burden, which needs to be further reduced\u201d.<\/p>\n

From the stage of the Teatro Regio<\/em>, Minister Tajani made three proposals to benefit lower incomes, the middle class, and even companies: “Firstly, I would like to lower, or even remove taxes on the thirteenth month\u2019s pay, especially the lowest ones. Secondly, I wish to make it possible to deduct healthcare expenses in the current year and not the following year, and thirdly, I would like to broaden to \u20ac60,000 the personal income tax base on which a 33% tax rate is applied, so as to send a further signal to the middle class. With a view to doing all these things, and lowering taxes on companies, we need to ensure that the State needs less money, convincing a large part of the private sector to invest in large public-private projects. There are \u20ac1.8 trillion dormant in banks, which are investing abroad. Instead, we need to ensure that investment is made in our country, starting with pension funds. This would allow private funds to be used, enabling the public sector to step out. This would enable the State to reduce the tax burden\u201d.<\/p>\n

“Creating a System”<\/strong><\/p>\n

Moving from the State to companies, Emanuele Orsini, President of Confindustria, recalled: “We are examining all the capabilities to penetrate global markets. With new agreements, our entrepreneurs can penetrate them better than other European countries. We have worked hard on Mercosur, and I believe it will give us a great boost, also due to our great relational skills.” President Orsini is confident in a good relationship with the President of Confindustria Brazil (who has Italian ancestry) and also favourably views the strengthening of ITA, SACE, and SIMEST, the hub under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that supports the internationalization of companies.<\/p>\n

President Orsini also focused on the local situation. “Parma is above average, with \u20ac10 billion in exports. Food, pharmaceuticals, and other sectors are driving the true Made in Italy brand forward. Without all the obstacles and burdens we face, who knows what we could do to be even more competitive.”<\/p>\n

The President of Confindustria also spoke of the need for a comprehensive Italian industrial plan. “Besides pushing our large companies to do better, we also need to incentivize small ones on the other side of the world. Here we need to clearly understand which markets they should target; have quick financing to help them, and have a clear picture of the system to work together. This is what creates strength, because we increasingly see our global competitors presenting themselves as a large, integrated system to win major contracts. If we could further strengthen the Italian system, I believe it would be over for everyone, given the quality of our products.”<\/p>\n

“Stronger than tariffs”<\/strong><\/p>\n

Creating a system to conquer new markets, as President Orsini said, but what are the markets that Made in Italy products can reach? “The Ministry has placed itself at the service of companies, helping them achieve good results not only in Europe, which is our traditional market – our oil well, so to say, with \u20ac220 billion in exports – but also in the United States, which has responded positively, because the quality of Italian products is stronger than tariffs.”<\/p>\n

It is not over yet, because Minister Tajani unveiled new maps, new territories where Italy is penetrating with the quality of its products. “We have worked hard in the Gulf region. We will bring the Salone del Mobile Milano<\/em> to Riyadh, and this is a great result. We are reaching India, thanks to the government’s agreement. We are working on Eastern markets, starting with the Chinese market, although I consider China a competitor. However, it is an interesting market. In fact, we have increased flights to Shanghai and Beijing.”<\/p>\n

The Ministry, however, is also focused on the IMEC, the corridor connecting India, the Middle East, Africa, and the Mediterranean. A corridor that will reach Trieste, which will be Europe’s port. “This corridor, however, will enhance the entire Adriatic port system, starting with that of Emilia-Romagna. It will intertwine with the European corridor to the Black Sea. This corridor shall be exploited to the fullest by our companies, because the Indian market can be of extraordinary interest. There is also Mercosur, of which I have always been a great supporter. It is an extraordinary market, where there are huge Italian communities.” Minister Tajani recalled again the 21% increase in exports recorded in one single month thanks to the new rules.<\/p>\n

“We shall also start working in Africa. Let us not underestimate it, because it is a very rich continent, especially considering its mineral resources,” he added, fresh from a mission to Tunis. “This diversification brings good results. I do not go on a mission to a country without also organizing a business forum there. Every time political initiatives needs to be matched by international trade ones. We want to make it clear that companies that travel to foreign countries are part of a system and are not alone. ITA, SACE, and SIMEST are part of our Embassies. The reform of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in force since January 1, envisages a General Directorate with a 24-hour operations room, so as to never leave entrepreneurs working around the world alone.<\/p>\n

The new frontiers of Made in Italy<\/strong><\/p>\n

The State\u2019s role remains crucial in assisting companies in new markets, which is the reason why President Orsini emphasized the need to “combine the needs of Confindustria with those of the new diplomats travelling around the world.” In this regard, he noted that a coordination meeting on missions will be held on July 1.<\/p>\n

Nevertheless, there is an issue that worries the President of Confindustria: China and India. “With specific reference to China, the concern is the ability of a State to invest 10 to 15% of its resources to conquer new markets. This is what we lack as Europe. We want a Europe that helps us maintain competitiveness. I recall that Italians buy \u20ac13 billion more in Chinese products each year.”<\/p>\n

Hence, the reference to international rules. President Orsini said: “To be competitive, we need someone on the other side who plays fair. China and India, however, have not our same rules. We have a social and environmental responsibility that China and India have not. Hence, on the international scene, we need to play on equal terms and on an equal footing.”<\/p>\n

Helping Young People<\/strong><\/p>\n

“Training, research, and innovation: we must be able to turn research and innovation into industrial policies. They need to become an industrial asset, not just an academic one, especially at a time when we are facing the challenge of AI,” Minister Tajani recalled, addressing the problem of the crisis experienced by young people who would like to become entrepreneurs. “We need to facilitate access to credit. There are young people who do not want to be entrepreneurs. We need to support start-ups by reducing taxes for the first five years and encouraging venture capital. We need to encourage these young people to become entrepreneurs.” He added: “I have fought on the issue of banks: I cannot imagine the banking system being affected by penalising the cooperative banks and credit unions that ensure access to credit for small and medium-sized enterprises.” He also stated: “We can encourage small business mergers so as to be more present in international markets.” President Orsini, however, has other requests for the Minister. “Removing taxes on the thirteenth month\u2019s pay is a good thing, but the same should be done also for production bonuses, if we want to increase production.” Focusing on small and medium-sized enterprises, President Orsini noted: “Tax measures are needed to bring small companies together, to create a critical mass in the markets and be effective. 70% of small companies have entrepreneurs who struggle with generational shift and succession planning.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Italian manufacturing system is healthier than you might think, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs supports companies that want to conquer new global markets. This was the message conveyed by the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, from the stage of the Teatro Regio at the 81st annual Assembly of the Parma […]","protected":false},"author":34,"featured_media":196935,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[23],"tags":[3,28],"class_list":["post-197020","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-interviste","tag-diplomazia-economica","tag-ministro"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.esteri.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/197020","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.esteri.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.esteri.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.esteri.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/34"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.esteri.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=197020"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.esteri.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/197020\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":197022,"href":"https:\/\/www.esteri.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/197020\/revisions\/197022"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.esteri.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/196935"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.esteri.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=197020"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.esteri.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=197020"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.esteri.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=197020"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}