Italian enterprises backed up for Middle East investments

Bologna - Italian enterprises willing to invest in the Middle East will have a 'back office' to support them in the internationalisation process, helping them to resolve problems and also be of support in finding partners. This is the objective of the Joint Italian Arab Chamber (JIAC), which includes among its stakeholders the Chambers of Commerce of 22 Arab countries. "This is the network linking all Chambers of Commerce, and represents our added value," said the President of JIAC, Cesare Trevisani, who is also Vice-president of the Trevi Group.

The conference took place in Bologna's Confindustria Emilia Romagna premises, and focused on trade opportunities in Arab countries. "We can support firms and act as a 'back-office' for everyday procedures when investing and expanding in these countries." The Chamber was set up approximately one year ago to support the international missions of Italian institutions linked to initiatives designed to facilitate the internationalisation of firms in Middle-Eastern markets, in Northern Africa and in the Gulf countries.

"The major Italian stakeholders are ICE, the Ministry for Economic Development, the Cassa Depositi e Prestiti and Confindustria. These institutions have fostered the creation of the Chamber, thanks to a permanent collaboration." Arab markets represent a huge opportunity for Italian entrepreneurs, considering the fact that exports to these countries, despite the rising trend, still only account for 6 percent of the total activities. "The area is extremely interesting and the potential there is enormous, with a lot of room for Italian enterprises.

All the sectors are developing, including infrastructure and services, as well as everything from logistics to energy," underlined the President of JIAC. "Italian products are welcomed in these markets because besides the allure of being 'Made in Italy', the Arab countries envy our system of small and medium-sized enterprises. The other side of the coin is here SMEs need to be supported in their international activities, and this the task of our Chamber," added Mr Trevisani.

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