Italia-Germany, trade ok but fears for the future

Looking at the territorial distribution of import-export, there is no match among the Italian regions, with Lombardy developing almost 53 billion in counter value, one third of the total trade. Surpassing not only other Italian territories but also German manufacturing areas such as Bayern and Baden-Württemberg.

While the recent picture is positive, today's climate among companies is quite different in light of the new geopolitical picture created by the US and Israeli attacks on Iran and the consequent surge in energy prices.

'If before this crisis growth in Germany was expected to be in the order of one point,' explains Jörg Buck, Managing Director of the German-Italian Chamber of Commerce, 'now the estimates are revised downwards and this progress is at risk. The situation for companies is critical, especially for SMEs, with major concerns on the cost side, especially energy'. Businesses, all the more so at this stage, are calling for a simplification of the regulatory framework, so as to facilitate business and boost the overall efficiency of the economic system.

'Action is needed on the price of energy,' Buck adds, 'and then on regulations and red tape. In the same way, it would be useful to strongly relaunch the internal market: a single energy market, if realised, would certainly bring benefits in terms of price'.

Looking at the trade figures between Italia and Germany in any case, the system confirms that it is solid and structured, even to face this latest challenge. 'The growth in trade confirms the resilience of the business system,' he adds, 'and recent growth is visible in several sectors. There is therefore a solid base of relations, which bodes well for the future'.