ITA: DRIVING ITALIAN GROWTH

Ciao Amedeo, what is the Italian Trade Agency?

Amedeo: Ciao Steve, the Italian Trade Agency is now 97 years old and it is the governmental agency for the promotion of both ‘Made in Italy’ and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) abroad.

Why does Italy need a trade agency?

Amedeo: The trade agency is a necessity for the industrial system, like the Italian one, which is based on SMEs, as the industrial texture of Italy is made up mainly of SMEs. Some SMEs are not able to operate in the international market on their own strengths, so they need public help for that and that is the reason why, almost 100 years ago, the small but giant Italy, in terms of export, needed a public trade promotion organisation.

How does the trade agency work today?

Amedeo: What do we do today with our 80 offices all over the world from South America, to Argentina, to Japan? Well, we mostly provide information, promotional activities and individual assistance, which means specific request by the companies, to be informed and promoted on the international market.

Attending events is a big part of the agency’s work.

Amedeo: Very much so. We have been here since 1988, first in Abu Dhabi, and now Dubai and we mainly attend events as an Italian collective, 25 to 30 important events every year, including Dubai International Boat Show, from Gulf Food to Big Five to Downtown Design. This year we are promoting mainly certified SMEs in the mechanics, technology, design, accessories and component industries.

It’s only SMEs that you support?

Amedeo: If you look at Dubai Harbour today, you will find the likes of the Ferretti Group and Azimut-Benetti who, of course, exhibit by themselves and those big brands don’t require our help. But the small and medium companies are really the protagonists of the Italian export in the sectors. Why? Because if you consider the Italian maritime industry turnover is around 6.1 billion euros, this represent around 1/5 of that total world maritime turnover of 28 billion euros and a large part of this, almost 70%, is exported. So Italy exported a record 3.4 billion euros in the maritime sectors last year and a very important part of these exports was accessories and components, which means they were made by SMEs.

How is the UAE doing?

Amedeo: For the UAE we also reached a value, which is a little bit higher compared to pre pandemic times. So, we reached 76 million euros of export, mainly by SMEs. In addition to this, we do have furniture designers, technologists, mechanics here, and that is why we are here to help.