Forum Ambrosetti, Gentiloni: optimistic about an agreement on the pact within the year, we won't extend the suspension.

News Service At the center of the second day of work at the Ambrosetti Forum is the Agenda for Europe. Among the most anticipated debates are the one between Josep Borrell and Antonio Tajani as well as the intervention of Paolo Gentiloni. “Europe is the framework within which our future is built, with the gaps that accompany the process of European integration, a factor that also transforms and shapes our social model” is the message read by Mario Monti to entrepreneurs, economists and politicians in the room sent by the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella and anticipated by the Quirinale 2 September 2023 Video of Zelensky in Cernobbio: never doubts about Italy’s support The key points Fuels, Pichetto: prices linked to many factors, the situation is not standing still Gas, Pichetto, « enough» don’t worry for winterTim, Urso: green light for Mef can speed up investments on Urso network, Saudis in Fondo Made in Italy? We are open and availableMps, Brakes: Status exit? Hurrying is not a good adviserMps, Urso: it is right to go down the road bank privatization Gentiloni: thinking about new funds after the end of the Next Generation Budget law, Tajani: privatizations on the table, discussion to be had Tajani on the USA, they are not left alone, the EU counts more in Nato Gentiloni: to be competitive we need funds and a new Gentiloni pact: we will not prolong the suspension of the Gentiloni pact; optimistic about an agreement on the pact within the year Tajani: the EU must make progress on defense Tajani: extra-profit tax is a one-off, we will find an agreementBorrell: six key challenges for the future, going beyond today’s crisis Ustica,Tajani: Amato? It is his version, Sace judiciary will see 40,000 SMEs supported in 6 months of the PlanA Cernobbio Agenda for Europe at the center of the debateMps, Tajani: Italy could speed up on EU quota sale: Tajani, majority vote needed on some decisions Tajani : the Silk Road has not given the desired results Tajani: no to a Europe driven by two or three countries Tajani: we need a real EU industrial policy Artificial intelligence in Italy can give 18% GDP Cernobbio worries about inflation, optimists on growth19:21 Stiglitz: with risk of recession, ECB will have to be more cautious «The problem for Europe is that the ECB was forced to follow the Fed to avoid weakening the euro, but the United States has more room to help the If the economy faced with rising interest rates, Europe now risks more, it risks a real recession: the ECB will now have to be much more cautious”. This was stated by Joseph Stiglitz, one of the top US economists and Nobel Prize winner. The Italian gross domestic product fell more than expected. Do you see a risk of recession for our country? «Yes, I see this risk: the rate hike decided by the ECB, China’s difficulties and the weakening of the German economy are all factors that have an impact on Italy. You risk what is called an abrupt landing, a difficult landing», replied Stiglitz in an interview with Tg3 on the sidelines of the Ambrosetti Forum in Cernobbio. 17:43 Fuels, Pichetto: prices linked to many factors, situation is not stable On fuel prices “the fact that they are linked to many factors continues to worry us, if we think of the effect that the OPEC decision to reduce the quantity of barrels per day” produced, “the situation is not still”. This was stated by the Minister of the Environment and Energy Security, Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, on the sidelines of the Ambrosetti Forum in Cernobbio. 17:42 Gas, Pichetto, calm enough for winter Italy can calmly look towards winter thanks to its high levels of gas storage and the extra regasification terminal. This was stated by the Minister of the Environment and Energy Security, Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, on the sidelines of the Ambrosetti Forum in Cernobbio. «I don’t have the crystal ball to give certainties, we have seen in the last few days that a threat of a strike in Australia was enough to make prices (gas, ed) fluctuate, but I would say that having stocks that are among the highest in Europe, we are over 91%, we can be calm enough for the winter», said the minister, adding that in any case «the term enough must always be said because the picture at an international level can move at any moment». 17:40 Tim, Urso: green light for MEF can accelerate network investments of our country, necessary to make it more competitive and at the same time safeguard employment levels”. This was stated by the Minister of Enterprise and Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso, on the sidelines of the Ambrosetti Forum in Cernobbio. “This government resolution on the initiative with Kkr alongside the one already implemented with Lufthansa – Urso observed – demonstrates how this government is particularly attentive and open to foreign investment in our country, both in the case of the aero sector and in the telecommunications sector , which is strategic”. 17:39 Urso, Saudis in Fondo Made in Italy? We are open and available «I never anticipate the decisions that will then be made, especially by others. I can say that the Italian strategic fund, which was set up with the bill that is in the process of being approved in parliament, has aroused the interest of many international investors and sovereign wealth funds, who believe it is possible to participate together with the fund in investments in strategic supply chains of Made in Italy». Thus the Minister of Enterprise, Adolfo Urso, on the sidelines of the Ambrosetti Forum underway in Cernobbio, to those who asked him if on 4 September, on the occasion of the Italian-Saudi Investment Forum in Milan, a possible investment by the Saudis in the Fund will also be announced launched by the Italian government. “We are absolutely open and available on this – he concludes –”. 16:57 Pharmaceuticals, study: sector with the highest rate of innovation In 2022, the pharmaceutical sector confirmed itself as one of those with the highest rate of innovation with investments of 3.3 billion euros, of which 1.4 for treatment plants production and 1.9 to research and development. This is what emerges from the report “Increasing the attraction of foreign investment for the competitiveness of Italy”, produced by The European House – Ambrosetti, in collaboration with Iapg and Eunipharma, and presented during the Ambrosetti Forum, underway in Cernobbio. 16:54 Mps, Brakes: status exit? Haste is not a good advisor The exit of the state from Mps? «I would be cautious, these are listed companies, subject to community supervision. When the government deems the time ripe for the transfer of MPS, it will certainly begin to evaluate the transfer process». Thus the undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Federico Freni, on the sidelines of the Ambrosetti Forum in Cernobbio. «The maturation of these times – he added – does not depend only on the will of the government, but on exogenous factors such as the performance of the Stock Exchange and the markets, of the MPS share and of the banking system. The day will come when it will be sold, but haste is not a good advisor. Especially in these cases.” 16:53 Mps, Urso: it is right to go down the road of bank privatization “I think it is right to go down this road”. Thus the Minister of Enterprise and Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso, on the sidelines of the Ambrosetti Forum underway in Cernobbio, to those who asked him if he agreed with the hypothesis of Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani of tightening the deadlines for the exit of the Mef from the capital of Rocca Salimbeni. 16:49 Cattani (Farmindustria), accelerate to give impetus to the sectorIn the pharmaceutical sector «the race must continue to give impetus and impetus to the sector. We don’t have the time today, but we need to see along the supply chain of our industry, i.e. research, development and production, the interventions that can allow us to accelerate. The global competitive dimension does not await us». This was stated by Marcello Cattani, president of Farmindustria, during the panel for the presentation of the research on the pharmaceutical industry and foreign investments in the sector curated by Iapg and Eunipharma and presented during the Ambrosetti Forum, underway in Cernobbio. Cattani added: «There are many things to improve, also in light of the macroeconomic context. The worrying thing is the relationship towards Europe, understood as Europe’s ability to respond to innovation, research and investment attraction tools, where the perception is that of a slow decline». One of the problems, in the pharmaceutical sector as in many other industrial sectors, is that of the increase in prices: «We have an inflation that has pumped up production costs, but not consumption and therefore we find ourselves in a situation of stagnation, with a flat GDP throughout Europe. Instead we need GDP, growth, to also support costs, burdens and investments in innovative health, without forgetting that all medicines are essential”. 15:59 Costa (Arriva Italia): 190 million on sustainable mobilityThe Arriva group believes in the opportunities of the Italian market, in which it aims to invest, as envisaged in the 2024-2028 business plan, a total of 190 million, gross of public contributions from approximately 66 million deriving from Pnrr resources, complementary European funds and ministerial funds, with a particular focus on the renewal of the fleet of green vehicles for which a total investment of 140 million euros is foreseen, of which 62 from public funds. This was stated on the sidelines of the Ambrosetti Forum in Cernobbio by Angelo Costa, Managing Director of Arriva Italia, one of the leading operators in the local public road transport sector, with around 360 million in managed revenues, 3,500 employees and a fleet of over 2,400 buses . 15:56 Tajani: partial reduction in GDP but it should not be dramatized “There is a partial reduction in GDP, which should not be dramatized”. This was stated by Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani on the sidelines of the Ambrosetti forum in Cernobbio. “Unfortunately, the economic situation in Europe is what it is, the situation of the German industry also causes repercussions in our country and the Italian car industry supplies a large part of the components of German cars – he added -. Therefore, if German industry decreases, Italian industry also decreases. And unfortunately inflation, with the rate increase decided by the ECB, together the two things have caused a problem for our economy». 15:08 Gentiloni: thinking about new funds after the end of Next GenerationThe European Union must equip itself with new common support tools for when the Next Generation Eu ends. This was stated by the EU Commissioner for the Economy, Paolo Gentiloni, on the sidelines of the Ambrosetti Forum in Cernobbio. It will be necessary to «put in place (new) tools to strengthen European competitiveness. Let’s not forget that Next Generation Eu ends in 2026 and there is a competition, a global race for clean technologies, cutting-edge sectors, space, healthcare… and they are all sectors in which public commitment, the commitment of states becomes heard at an international level and therefore also for the EU, once the – very substantial – resources of the Next Generation Eu run out, there must be more funds and other resources”, Gentiloni indicated, underlining that it will be a “discussion not easy, but it would be wrong to withdraw”. In this context, the 93 billion euros allocated for the Next Generation EU and not requested by the States can «be a basis to consider in the phase that in Brussels we define as medium-term, that is, once the immediate resources have run out. It can be a trait d’union towards new funds and new common resources», continued Gentiloni, explaining that «we only had this figure on September 1st and therefore this is a discussion that must begin. Now we know that out of the potential loans 93 billion have not been requested”. 15:06 Budget law, Tajani: privatizations on the table, discussion to be had “I think that some public real estate assets can also be decommissioned or public real estate assets can be used, relieving the state from the rent of buildings that now house institutional offices”. So the vice president and foreign minister, Antonio Tajani, on the sidelines of the Ambrosetti Forum in Cernobbio. The theme had already been relaunched by the Forza Italia exponent in recent days, speaking of ports: «Put I love the topic of privatizations on the table of the majority and of the political debate. I gave the example of ports, explaining well that state property cannot be sold. It is obvious that the reference is to port services, it is an example”. In any case, “we’ve put it on the table, it’s not in the government’s programme” but “it’s a discussion that needs to be had”. 15:03 Enel, with stronger supply chains on the transition of benefits of 640 billion by 2030 A series of strategic choices could allow the European Union and Italy to cover, by 2030, thanks to domestic manufacturing production, more than 50% of their needs of photovoltaic panels, around 90% of the demand for batteries and over 60% of that for heat pumps. The development of national and European supply chains in key sectors for the energy transition can strengthen autonomy and guarantee economic, social and environmental benefits of up to 640 billion euros by 2030. This is what emerges from the study “Energy transition strategic supply chains. Industrial roadmap for Europe and Italy”, created by the Enel Foundation and The European House – Ambrosetti in collaboration with Enel, and presented as part of the Ambrosetti Forum, underway in Cernobbio. 14:47 Tajani on the USA, they are not left alone, the EU counts more in NATO “Relations between Italy and the United States represent one of the polar stars of our foreign policy” but “Europe must do more to count within of NATO, must also do more to be present on the international stage and not force the United States to be alone”. So the vice president and foreign minister, Antonio Tajani, on the sidelines of the Ambrosetti Forum in Cernobbio. “I didn’t say – he specified in relation to his previous speech in the room – that Italy must not follow the United States, I said that the United States must not be left alone”. Europe, he reasons, «must not chase the United States because then on some international scenarios, where there is the presence of NATO, Europe must be an even more protagonist. We need more European presence, in that sense I said that we shouldn’t be forced to chase, that is, leave the USA alone”. The deputy premier then spoke of his imminent trip to China: “I will go to Beijing this afternoon” also to “ask China to intervene with Russia to push the Kremlin to take steps towards a just peace which means independence and the freedom of Ukraine”. 14:34 Gentiloni: funds and a new pact are needed to be competitive “To be competitive, the European Union needs three things: funds, a new stability pact and a new plan for how long Next Generation Eu will end”. This was stated by the EU Commissioner for the Economy, Paolo Gentiloni, on the sidelines of the Ambrosetti Forum in Cernobbio. For Gentiloni, competitiveness passes first of all «from using the resources we have. We often talk about the need for new resources, but let’s not forget that we have the resources of the Next Generation Eu which are still to be committed and constitute an unprecedented financial mass for the EU”. The second condition is “to find an agreement on the stability and growth pact by the end of the year”, continued Gentiloni, indicating that “the third condition is to put in place new tools to strengthen European competitiveness also because Next Generation Eu ends in 2026”. 14:32 Energy, Lanzetta (Enel), coordinated EU efforts “A coordinated effort at the European level can help to overcome the challenge of finding the right balance between reliability, economic convenience and sustainability, the so-called energy trilemma”. This was stated by Nicola Lanzetta, director Italy of Enel, during the panel on the energy transition within the context of the Ambrosetti Forum, underway in Cernobbio, explaining that it is necessary to «embrace a new strategic vision aimed at developing a competitive European industrial and technological base, founding it on integrated green supply chains coordinated at a continental level». Only in this way, he added, “is it possible to ensure the strategic autonomy of Europe and Italy and a faster energy transition, with benefits for the system”. 13:41 Tajani: give a signal to retirees, 1,000 euros within the legislature «This is not a question of flags but of working to face a situation in which inflation is very high and we must help families and businesses defend their purchasing power. The first thing to do is to confirm the cut in the tax wedge, a tax measure which expires on December 31st and must be stabilized». This was stated by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani on the sidelines of the Ambrosetti Forum in Cernobbio, responding to journalists who asked him if any standard government measures risk being jumped in the maneuver if the covers are missing. «Then we need to detax part of the salary, I’m thinking of thirteenth month bonuses, production bonuses and overtime. It is important to give a signal to pensioners and proceed along the path already started of aiming for the goal of one thousand euros a month by the end of the legislature – he continued -. Then we have to see about the covers, we’ll discuss. There is a majority meeting on the 6th, which is why I insisted on the subject of the proposals to have more money in the state coffers». 13:40 Gentiloni: without an agreement the difficulties of the old pact would returnA lack of agreement on the stability pact with “a return to the previous situation would highlight the difficulties of the previous rules” which “despite having some certainly useful and positive elements to confirm have not succeeded neither to promote growth nor to reduce debt, so proposing them again would certainly not be ideal». This was stated by the European commissioner for the economy, Paolo Gentiloni, when asked about the risks of a lack of agreement. 13:32 Gentiloni: we will not extend the suspension of the Pact “We decided to suspend the rules of the Stability Pact on March 17, 2020, a few days after the declaration of the pandemic, we extended them I would say quite easily in 2021 with some discussions in 2022, with many discussions in 2023: we will not prolong them”. 13:29 Gentiloni: optimistic about an agreement on the pact within the year «We must find an agreement on fiscal rules, on the stability and growth pact, by the end of the year. I am satisfied that the governments are working on the basis of the Commission’s proposal and I am optimistic, if you need to, that an agreement can be reached by the end of the year”. Paolo Gentiloni, European Commissioner for the Economy, said it in a press point at the Ambrosetti Forum one of Forza Italia’s amendments “will aim to indicate that this choice is a one-off”. This was reiterated by the vice president and foreign minister, Antonio Tajani, on the sidelines of the Ambrosetti Forum in Cernobbio. “I think it is right to ask the banks to take action to support the economy of our country” but “the rule must be written well, distinguishing between large and small banks” and “also indicating that it is a one-off”. Among other aspects, for the exponent of Forza Italia it is necessary “to pay attention to the purchase of government bonds by banks and, therefore, I believe that government bonds must be excluded from this tax”. Summing up, «there will be 4 amendments that Forza Italia will present to protect local banks to protect consumers and savers. The second will be the one that will aim to indicate that this choice is a one-off”. The goal is to ensure «that this text is the result of an agreement in Parliament and is therefore an improvement. We are ready to discuss and face the debate with the aim of writing the text better. The last amendment will be that of deductibility. We’ll see how an agreement can be reached.” 13:21 Borrell: six key challenges for the future, going beyond the crisis of the day The European Union faces six key challenges, in order to secure its future, and must “go beyond the crises of the day to shape our strategic future together”. This is the line drawn by Josep Borrell, EU high representative for foreign policy, in his speech at the Ambrosetti Forum in Cernobbio, as reported in his official profile on X (formerly Twitter). First of all, for Borrell, it is necessary “to make sure that Ukraine prevails in the war” underway, as well as “to recalibrate the approach to China and do it according to the EU’s terms”. Furthermore, the EU must “manage the expectations of emerging powers such as the BRICS+ countries and the South of the world” and “rethink the concept of ‘security'”. Finally, the Union must “invest collectively in a European defense” and think about “the double imperative of expanding and qualified majority voting”. 13:12 Ustica, Tajani: Loved? It’s his version, the judiciary will see «We need to verify what happened, this is the version of the former prime minister, we’ll see. It’s a version of him and there’s no comment.’ This was stated by Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani commenting on Giuliano Amato’s words on France on the Ustica massacre. “There was a trial, you can’t comment on an interview, the judiciary will see – he added on the sidelines of the Ambrosetti forum in Cernobbio – who will investigate what happened, we need to clarify”. “Giuliano Amato is a person who had great importance but now he is a private citizen,” he concluded. 12:43 44% audience forum has a negative opinion on EU coherence in foreign policyThe unfavorable opinions on the coherence of the EU as a foreign policy actor are increasing. A fifth of the participants in Cernobbio 2023 awaits the next decisions to express a clearer judgement. Today’s first televoting is dedicated to collecting the opinions of the Cernobbio 2023 business community on the role of the European Union as a foreign policy actor and what is its coherence in a delicate historical moment such as the one we are experiencing. The audience, which in 2022 was expressed favorably by a large majority – with a percentage of 73.9% – this year reduced its positive approach: a third of the participants – 33% – in fact expressed a positive opinion on the coherence of the EU as a foreign policy actor. Overall, negative judgments are over about 44% of the participants, while almost 23% settles in a median position – over 10% more than last year – a sign of careful waiting on the next EU decisions for an evaluation clearer 12:30 Tajani: the EU must take steps forward on defense On the defense front, “Europe must take a few steps forward. We have to be more ambitious but the numbers we have don’t allow us to. We have also seen on the Ukrainian question that we cannot always run after the United States”. This was stated by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani speaking at the Ambrosetti Forum in Cernobbio. The United States “are our interlocutor but also in NATO we want to count more, we need a Europe that knows how to count more, not in words but also in deeds” 12:12 Sace, 40 thousand SMEs supported in 6 months of the Plan” In line with the mission and objectives of our Together 2025 Business Plan, we are already alongside 40,000 Italian SMEs in their investment and sustainable growth projects in Italy and around the world and we expect to reach 65,000 over the course of the Plan”. This was underlined by Alessandra Ricci, CEO of Sace. 6 months after the launch of Insieme2025, the industrial plan of Sace, the Italian insurance-financial group participated by the Ministry of Economy and Finance has supported investments and guaranteed liquidity for a total of 28.4 billion euros (77% compared to the average of the three-year objective set at 111 billion euros). 12:10 Nancy Pelosi: let’s hope Giorgia Meloni does well «Giorgia Meloni made a good impression when she was in the US. And it is always remarkable that a woman is prime minister, let’s hope she does well ». This was stated by Nancy Pelosi, emeritus speaker of the US Chamber, on the sidelines of the Ambrosetti and Cernobbio Forum. “The fact that Giorgia Meloni is the first woman to head the government in Italy is a remarkable thing, hers in the United States was a good visit and she also made a good impression in the meeting she had with Biden and at the congress” , he added. «Our relationship with Italy is also marked by and on the major issues of security – he concluded -. This is very important in terms of the European Union, NATO, Ukraine and Russia and we hope also in China» 12:04 PM The Agenda for Europe at the center of the debate in Cernobbio The second day of work at the Ambrosetti Forum opened, at the center of today’s discussions will be the Agenda for Europe and among the most eagerly awaited debates are the one between Josep Borrell and Antonio Tajani as well as the speech by Paolo Gentiloni. “Europe is the framework within which our future is built, with the gaps that accompany the process of European integration, a factor that also transforms and shapes our social model” is the message read by Mario Monti to entrepreneurs, economists and politicians in the room sent by the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella and anticipated by the Quirinale 11:52 Monti (Edison): energy first economic sector in Italy and Europe for investmentsEnergy «already today is the first economic sector at European and Italian level in terms of investment intensity , with 39% of the added value of the sector in both cases, for a total value of 90 billion of the European Union. Said Nicola Monti, Chief Executive Officer of Edison, during the presentation of a report produced by Edison and The European House – Ambrosetti and presented during the Ambrosetti Forum, underway in Cernobbio. «In a context of growing environmental and social challenges, the enabling role of the energy system for human progress assumes unprecedented importance», said Monti, explaining that «the need to pursue objectives of sustainability and inclusiveness makes energy a key to achieving a fair and environmentally friendly future». 11:50 Gibelli (Fnm), rising to 51% Trenord is an affair between shareholders “It’s a question between shareholders, you should only ask them”. This is how Andrea Gibelli, executive chairman of Fnm, answers a question on the hypothesis that there is news on the possibility that the railway company, listed on the Stock Exchange, could rise to the majority or in any case to 51% in Trenord, the joint venture with Trenitalia which manages rail traffic in Lombardy and in part of the neighboring regions. In April, the president of the Lombardy Region, Attilio Fontana, had anticipated that he would talk about it with the Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Matteo Salvini and now Gibelli, responding to journalists, only recalls how «since I’ve been here, the Region has invested in Trenord around two billion, Trenitalia nothing» 11:05 AM Sace: SME exports expected +6.2% in 2023, over 300 billion in 2025-2026 Italian SMEs currently generate about a third of their turnover abroad (8 percentage points above the German ones) and contribute to almost half of national exports, compared to 20% of the German and French and 34% of the Spanish. This is what emerges from the report produced by the Sace Research Office in collaboration with The European House – Ambrosetti, presented during the 49th edition of the Forum, underway in Cernobbio. The trend is also strengthening in perspective: according to Sace forecasts, exports of Italian SMEs will grow this year by 6.2%, by 4% in 2024 and by 3.2%, on average, in the following two years (2025- 2026), when they will exceed 300 billion euros. According to the study, the dynamism of the productive fabric of SMEs, witnessed by the strong increase in labor productivity recorded in the decade 2010-2019 and which reached levels higher than that of Germany and Spain, was also reflected in an improvement in competitiveness on the markets international. 11:03 Edison: 1 in 2 companies implement ecological transition plans ». This is what emerges from a survey conducted among 500 young people and 500 Italian companies, the study ‘Towards the society of the future: how we will live, work, relate and the energies of transformation’, which inaugurates the celebrations of the 140th anniversary of the foundation of Edison, the oldest European energy company which began its activity in Milan in December 1883, starting the electrification process in the country and on the continent. The study, presented in Cernobbio with The European House Ambrosetti, aims to promote a strategic reflection on the evolutions that will shape the society of the future. 11:00 The Brescia-Edolo hydrogen train will leave by 2025The hydrogen train on the Brescia-Iselo-Edolo line should start its regular runs at the end of 2024-beginning of 2025. This was explained by Andrea Gibelli, executive president of Fnm, recalling that the total investment of the group for this innovative project is 350 million, largely financed by the Pnrr. «The test runs will begin next February – announces Gibelli on the sidelines of the Ambrosetti Forum in Cernobbio – and the commercial ones we hope by the end of 2024. We expect that the authorizations can arrive within 6-8 months as for the high-speed trains» . The Alstom hydrogen train that will be used, of which a total of 14 units will be purchased, will be visible at the next Expo Ferroviaria 2023, the Italian showcase for railway technologies, products and systems, which will take place from 3 to 5 October at the Fiera Milan. 10:58 Mps, Tajani: Italy could accelerate on the sale of the Cernobbio share, 2 September. (Adnkronos) – Italy could speed up the decision to sell the Mps stake. This was stated by the deputy prime minister and foreign minister, Antonio Tajani, replying to Bloomberg TV who, on the sidelines of the Ambrosetti Forum, asked him if the government will speed up the sale of the MPS stake. When asked when a decision will be made, Tajani replied: “In a short time.” 10:51 SMEs, Tavazzi (Ambrosetti): key role for the economy, crucial relaunch of exports SMEs represent the backbone of the Italian economy and play a very important role in economic and social terms, also with a view to internationalization and exports. «As a country, we have been able to relaunch exports, which remain a fundamental element of the Italian economy. 2022 was a record year, with a 20% growth compared to 2021», said Lorenzo Tavazzi, partner of The European House – Ambrosetti, as part of the 49th edition of the Ambrosetti Forum, underway in Cernobbio. 10:21 Tajani, defense expenses are excluded from the stability pact «We should spend more on defense, NATO is also asking us for it, but then we need to take into account real, not theoretical, expenses. If we want to spend more on defence, because Europe needs more substantial defence, then we need to exclude these expenditures from the stability and growth pact». This was stated by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani speaking at the Ambrosetti Forum in Cernobbio. “Because we can’t blame the individual states and above all Italy, which has a public debt that is growing because there are defense expenditures wanted at a European level – he concluded -. It is not a spendthrift state, but there are some expenses taken at European level” 10:20 EU: Tajani, majority voting is needed on some decisions”We can look to the future with optimism if we know how to build a foreign defense policy. I want to quote Berlusconi on majority voting: the last speech he made focused on foreign defense policy, which is indispensable for Europe, and on the need to proceed with a majority vote and not unanimity for some fundamental choices of Europe which would otherwise remain blocked. This was stated by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani speaking at the Ambrosetti Forum in Cernobbio. “I personally take up that legacy and that message, if I have to respond like Antonio Tajani, I say that I am absolutely convinced we must proceed with majority voting for some decisions – he concluded -, which would allow Europe to be more effective on the international stage” 10:12 SMEs, Sace: in Cernobbio 150 companies follow the work Thanks to Sace, 150 small and medium-sized enterprises follow the work of the forum The we can’t always run after the UsaEuropean House – Ambrosetti this weekend in Cernobbio. On the occasion of the 49th edition of the event, Sace opens the doors of Villa d’Este to SMEs for the first time, thanks to the partnership with The European House – Ambrosetti, with a hub entirely dedicated to small and medium-sized enterprises and their strategic role in the Italian economic fabric. During the forum, the research ‘Small, medium and more competitive: Italian SMEs testing exports between sustainable and digital transition’ was presented, carried out by the Sace research office in collaboration with The European House – Ambrosetti, with a focus on development prospects for SMEs in the face of the challenges of international markets. On the defense front, “Europe must take a few steps forward. We have to be more ambitious but the numbers we have don’t allow us to. We have also seen on the Ukrainian question that we cannot always run after the United States”. This was stated by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani speaking at the Ambrosetti Forum in Cernobbio. The United States “are our interlocutor, but if we want to count more in NATO, we need a Europe that knows how to count more, not in words but also in deeds”. 9:59 Tajani: the flows risk becoming unsustainable «We don’t know where this instability in sub-Saharan Africa will lead to, but we must ensure that it doesn’t turn against us. This also means controlling migratory flows”. This was stated by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani speaking at the Ambrosetti Forum in Cernobbio. “Because migratory flows risk becoming unsustainable and risk causing an unsustainable cost to Italy – he added -. Here too we need a European immigration policy, more solidarity and more strategy. Every single State can perhaps erect some walls but it does not solve the problem of immigration”. “One of the fundamental points that has not been talked about in Europe in recent years and has not been at the center of EU policies has been Africa”, he concluded. 9:47 Tajani: the Silk Road has not given the desired results “We want to continue working intensely with China” but we must “also do an analysis on exports: the Silk Road, if we analyze it, has not brought results we expected. Italy’s exports to China in 2022 amounted to 16.5 billion euros, those of France to 23 and those of Germany to 107”. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said so in his speech at the Ambrosetti forum. “Parliament – he added – will have to make an assessment and then decide whether or not to renew our participation in this project”. With China, he added, “we want to have a solid relationship knowing full well that they are a partner but also a competitor, a systemic rival,” explained Tajani. “If we want to compete” with Beijing, he added, “we need a European foreign policy and rules that guarantee the competitiveness of our industrial realities” 9:41 Tajani, no to a Europe traction of two or three countries there must be a Europe between two or three countries, all the reforms must be carried out, we must reform the Stability Pact and arrive at the conclusion of the banking union». This was stated by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani speaking at the Ambrosetti Forum in Cernobbio. “And achieve tax harmonization – he added -, if we want to count in the world we must have a weight that cannot be only that of the high representative or ministers. In order to count, Europe must have economic strength, not just commercial strength, it must have the ability to count on an industrial level». 9:39 Tajani: forward with reform Stability Pact and Banking Union Within the European Union “we must reform the Stability Pact, conclude the banking union and achieve fiscal harmonization”. Thus the vice president and foreign minister, Antonio Tajani, during a debate at the Ambrosetti Forum in Cernobbio, speaking of the reforms necessary to “have more Europe”. 9:31 Tajani: we need a real EU industrial policy «To count, Europe must have economic and not just commercial strength. It must not only be a large market but must have the ability to compete at an industrial level». The minister said so of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Tajani, in his speech at the Ambrosetti Forum, in Cernobbio. “We need a real EU industrial policy that aims at a global competition system” and which allows European companies, through “competition rules” with “a higher bar”, “to compete on a global level because otherwise the rules of EU risk suffocating European companies globally”. 8:52 Artificial intelligence in Italy can give 18% GDPAt the Cernobbio Forum focus on the impacts and prospects of Artificial Generative Intelligence for Italy and Made in Italy. Generative AI is a technology that, in our country, can generate, for the same number of hours worked, up to 312 billion euros in annual added value, equal to 18% of Italy’s GDP. This is what emerged from The European House – Ambrosetti and Microsoft Italia which releases the results of a study on the potential impacts of Generative Artificial Intelligence in Italy. Italian companies are approaching these technologies, reaping the immediate benefits: 1 out of 2 companies has already tried to use AI solutions and 70% of those who have tested them claim to have obtained productivity advantages. Among the main areas of use highlighted: the retrieval of information (55%), virtual assistance (48%) and process efficiency (47%). Among the main barriers for the full adoption of these technologies, for 72% of companies, skills and a concern about privacy, security and reliability are highlighted. 08:27 In Cernobbio worries about inflation, optimistic about growth In Cernobbio entrepreneurs are worried about inflation which affects investment programs for 2024 for over 60% of those interviewed, planned in line with the past for about 33%; there is moderate optimism for growth: with a better trend for 45.7% of participants with a growing turnover for 36% (+ 10% on the same televoting in 2022). The second televoting of the forty-ninth edition of the annual Forum: “Today’s and tomorrow’s scenario for competitive strategies” was dedicated to collecting the opinions of the business community on the economic situation and the prospects of their companies. A third of the participants see a stable employment trend for their company while opinions differ on any increases or reductions in the workforce: 41.6% expect a limited increase of less than or below 10% (a slight increase on 2022) while 7.8% of participants estimate a reduction in employment to be within 10%, a share that has more than doubled (from 3.3% last year) compared to last year’s survey. Loading…