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Il Sole 24 Ore and the Italian Chamber of Commerce in the UK sign agreement on ItalyX, the certification of Italian corporate identity

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  • The agreement aims to boost the competitiveness and visibility of Italian companies in the British market
  • The turnover of the nearly 70 companies participating in the ItalyX certification exceeds €2 billion
  • 15 territorial branches of Confindustria actively involved in the project

Milan, 24 June - Il Sole 24 Ore and the Italian Chamber of Commerce in the UK have signed a partnership agreement to endorse ItalyX. The certification of Italian corporate identity, promoted by Il Sole 24 Ore and developed in collaboration with Confindustria, seeks to enhance and showcase companies in the manufacturing sector that embody the values of Italian excellence. This partnership complements those already finalized by the Group with Italian Chambers of Commerce in India, Saudi Arabia, and Barcelona.

The agreement was disclosed by Mirja Cartia d'Asero, CEO of 24 ORE Group, and Alessandro Belluzzo, President of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in the UK, during the “ITALYX Business Matching Meeting” event held on the evening of Wednesday, 19 March in Milan. The event focused on the value of Made in Italy and international opportunities for Italian companies, and was attended by companies that have participated in the certification, SMEs interested in the initiative, project partners, and representatives from Italian Chambers of Commerce worldwide.

During the meeting, Eraldo Minella, General Manager of the Professional Services and Training Area of 24 ORE Group, outlined the certification's features and highlighted the profiles of participating companies. There are currently approximately 70 companies either certified or in the certification process, collectively boasting a turnover of €2.1 billion (Source: Bilanci 2022), the majority being SMEs (86%) and companies from the machinery, metal, plastics and food sectors.

A panel discussion then took place attended by Claudio Maffioletti, CEO of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in India, discussing opportunities for Italian companies to engage with the Chamber's initiatives in India. Also participating were Luigi Riva, President of Assoconsult and partner of ItalyX, along with two certified SMEs: FABERT from Lombardy in the Fashion and Clothing sector, and SIMAR GROUP from Marche in the Furniture and Furnishing sector.

"Export is a crucial item on the Country's economic agenda, underscored by the interest from 400 companies in ItalyX. Moreover, the 70 participating companies, all achieving double-digit growth, exemplify true pocket-sized multinationals. What sets ItalyX apart is its certification of a company as a whole, affirming its ability to conceive, design, innovate, and manufacture in alignment with the unique characteristics of Italian tradition. In this regard, the certification also aims to address the issue of Italian-sounding, which is prevalent in international markets - said Mirja Cartia d'Asero, CEO of 24 ORE Group - With ItalyX, we are actively bolstering the export efforts of our SMEs through numerous partnerships with Italian chambers of commerce worldwide, including the recently established one in the UK. Access to these international networks represents a significant multiplier of opportunities for companies."

“Our Chamber has a legacy of over 150 years, and now, in the wake of post-Brexit changes, presents a pivotal moment with golden opportunities for Italy. We are responding to this by innovating our service offerings and prioritizing our member base, which includes most of the major groups representing Made in Italy in the UK - stated Alessandro Belluzzo, President of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in the UK - Our goal is to enhance the promotion of Italian companies globally, which is why we've joined ItalyX. Excellence can sometimes be elusive, and our role is to effectively showcase it. This strategic collaboration aims to strengthen international business connections and support the growth and global expansion efforts of Italian companies. One of our initial planned initiatives is to organize an annual conference focused on the application of artificial intelligence in sectors that represent Made in Italy abroad.”

Regarding the opportunities for Italian companies in India, Claudio Maffioletti, CEO of the Italian-Indian Chamber of Commerce, emphasized, "We are currently witnessing a magical moment in the relations between Italy and India, emerging from a challenging phase in the past. India is showing significant dynamism, albeit with its unique complexities. There are approximately 800 Italian companies who have invested in India, with 45% involved in manufacturing operations. The Italian presence is expanding across various sectors, including mechanics and aerospace. However, success depends on Italian management that regularly visits India and has the flexibility to understand that the country operates within a context quite different from European realities. It is crucial to determine if India is truly suitable for the company, and our chamber, with its network, can be invaluable in facilitating this evaluation process.”

According to Luigi Riva, President of Assoconsult, the association representing the management consulting sector in Italy: "An initiative such as ItalyX was missing and provides crucial support for companies, especially with its strategic visibility component. Italian exports are valued at approximately €626 billion, constituting about a third of GDP. Italy ranks fourth globally in terms of the number of markets reached and the diversity of products exported. Italy excels particularly in the sectors of nautical, pharmaceutical, and optical equipment. Today, the most downloaded app in the Chinese market is Italian, despite Italy not ranking in the top ten globally in terms of overall innovation as measured by the number of patents. Some sectors are significantly influenced by product innovation, while others are more affected by process innovation or other forms of innovation. Hence, it is essential to consider each sector individually because enhancing exports and competitiveness relies on improving innovation and branding strategies. Focusing on innovation has the potential to generate €50 billion in added value, while concentrating on branding could contribute €28 billion.”

"ItalyX is a highly valuable and significant certification for companies focused on future growth” - said Marco Valle, Chairman of Simar Group, based in the Marche region specializing in furnishing and related technological solutions, including through AI, already operating in the UK and the Far East - As we expand into international markets, we see promising opportunities in the Philippines, alongside the U.S. market, and we are considering investments specifically in Manila."

"In the fashion industry, our distinction as a subcontractor lies in our ability to deliver high-quality finished products from design - said Alessia Cassani, Head of Administration at Fabert, a prominent Italian player in the clothing sector known for collaborating with prestigious Italian and international brands to supply tailored, high-end items - Our goal is to expand our client base across multiple markets, starting obviously with Italy and France, where fashion houses are predominant."