Despite the dialectic between Prime Ministers Giorgia Meloni and Emmanuel Macron, cooperation between Italy and France is “livelier and more effective than ever” and “there are synergies between the economic and production systems of the two countries”. This was stated by the president of the French Chamber of Commerce in Italy, Denis Delespaul, and confirmed by the study carried out by Cci France Italy together with Ipsos. According to the survey of Italian and French top managers, 78% believe that the collaboration is positive, 94% are confident about the future and 82% predict further improvement in the next 2-3 years. In addition, according to 63% of those interviewed, cooperation between Italian and French companies would lead to greater bargaining power compared to the European Union (63%), an increase in the financial strength of the companies (43%), a competitive advantage (62%) and favorable conditions for trade growth (55%) for both countries.
Confindustria Medef
The research was published as the fifth edition of the Confindustria and Medef bilateral forum takes place in Rome. The initiative aims to reaffirm the joint commitment of the Italian and French industrial associations on themes that are crucial for the growth and competitiveness of companies. The furrow is that of the Quirinal Treaty, with an equation that aims to strengthen relations between Italy and France and convey common messages to national governments and EU institutions.
A permanent observatory
“This – says Delespaul – is the first step towards the creation of a permanent observatory that measures every year the climate of Italian-French relations, not only in the economy but in all areas”. Participating in the event were Denis Delespaul, President of CCI France Italy and Nicola Neri, CEO of Ipsos, and it was an opportunity to announce the 2023 edition of the « Farnese d’or », which will be held on June 22 at Palazzo Farnese will be held in Rome. . “There is a perception that strengthening this cooperation can bring important benefits to both, including in relations with the European institutions,” says Delespaul.
Returning to the survey, almost all interviewees claim that greater proximity would also bring important benefits to corporate social responsibility, a strategic area for the economy of the future, in particular: promoting gender equality (44%), promoting development of sustainable supply chains (42%), combating climate change (40%), ensuring fair and respectful relationships with commercial partners (suppliers, distributors, consultants: 40%).
Managers are asking for more collaboration
In this context, the exchange between Italian and French companies is already underway, but it can be improved in the future in the next five years to add even more value and ensure a win-win effect for all stakeholders. The sectors in which there is already strong cooperation today are the fashion sector, the automotive sector and commerce and wholesale distribution, for which there are still margins for further development of the cooperation. Then there are some sectors where cooperation is present, but to a lesser extent. An impetus for more cooperation is expected for this: transport and logistics (65% of the interviewed companies state that even if they find a cooperation, further development is fundamental), chemical/pharmaceutical (58%), mechanical-machinery (55% ), food and agri-food (54%).
From Elena Goitini to Luca De Meo
Economic integration is well advanced. “At the top of many French-based companies in Italy are many Italian managers,” underlines Delespaul, looking, for example, at Elena Goitini, general manager of BNL and head of Bnp Paribas for Italy. But also to things like the French Renault led by CEO Luca De Meo, the first non-French to head the car manufacturer.
Italy’s attractiveness
Evaluations of investment attractiveness factors in the two countries are more divergent. Only in terms of labor costs, Italy is preferred to France (35% compared to 22% in France), but the game with Paris is much more critical on other crucial aspects: digital transition (38% vs 14%), logistics and transport (40% vs 12%), energy transition (37% vs 16%). And it is especially in the relationship with the public sector that the greatest differences emerge: in terms of sparse bureaucracy and simplification, the French are clearly ahead (49% vs. 12%), as well as in the understanding of laws and regulations (46% vs. 7%), in the presence of public incentives (44% vs. 17%), in the level of taxation (34% vs. 13%). Access to credit is also more favorable for transalpines (33% versus 10%).
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Source: Corriere
I am Lawrence Sickels and I work in the news industry. For the past few years, I have been writing for The News Dept, a web-based platform dedicated to providing readers with quality journalism. My main area of focus is covering economic news and business trends across the globe. With my detailed knowledge of current affairs and market analysis, I am able to offer insightful commentary on economic issues beyond the headlines.
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