Beautiful and Well Done, Exports are worth 170 billion

Exports are still the key to Italy's growth. Exports of the so-called Bello e Ben fatto, i.e. quality Italian goods, are worth over 170 billion euro. There is also an additional potential of 27.6 billion euro, of which 19.4 billion in mature markets and 8.2 billion in emerging markets. The first include the United States, Germany, France, the United Kingdom and Spain. Among the emerging ones are China, the Arab Emirates, Turkey, Russia and Kazakhstan, with leading sectors such as food, fashion, furniture and jewellery.

This is what emerges from the 13th edition of Exporting the Dolce Vita, the Report of the Study Centre of Confindustria presented yesterday in Rio de Janeiro, at an event organised by Confindustria, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Italian Trade Agency. In Latin America and the Caribbean, a new season of cooperation is opening. In this area, exports of BBF products have grown by an average of 10% per year between 2008 and 2024, but the demand for know-how, creativity and sustainability is growing even more.

In particular, the agreement between the EU and Mercosur can open a new phase in Euro-Latin American relations, with EUR 4 billion less in tariffs for European companies, 57 protected geographical indications and over 1,400 Italian companies already active in the area. According to the SCS, the completion and full implementation of the agreement could free up over EUR 1.1 billion of additional potential towards Mercosur countries alone, compared to the EUR 7.4 billion already realised in 2024.

"The agreement with Mercosur is a test-bed for Europe's ability to act as a global economic power and for Italy to promote relations based on reciprocal exchanges," commented Barbara Cimmino, Confindustria's vice president for Export and Investment Attraction. "For this reason, the member states must show that they are able to move quickly and cohesively by ratifying this free trade treaty as soon as possible. We need a foreign economic policy that puts cooperation at the centre, accompanying companies on the most dynamic markets and reinforcing the value of the Italian brand.