Lazio's industrial districts in the spotlight from 17 to 24 May

"Lazio, a great history a bright future". With this theme, the Lazio region is preparing to participate in Expo Osaka from 17 to 14 May. Its cultural traditions and technological excellence will be promoted, through an approach capable of bringing together the heritage of the past and the prospects of the future, so as to project in the present the profile of a region that grows and innovates, ready to compete on global markets and face the great challenges of our time. An important showcase, first and foremost, for the districts in the region: aerospace, agriculture, biotech, pharmaceuticals, and ICT.

On the other hand, the ties between Lazio and Japan are very strong. Last October, to give just one example, Takeda Italia presented the first results of the five-year investment plan announced for 2021 amounting to 350 million euro. The funds, earmarked for innovative and technologically advanced plants for the production of plasma-derived products, have created 150 new jobs.With over 750 employees in Rieti, to which must be added the 250 or so at the Pisa plant, and a fourfold growth in ten years, the industrial pole is considered an excellence in biotechnological pharmaceuticals, authorised to export to over 50 countries worldwide, including crucial markets such as the USA and China as well as Japan, Europe and Canada.

Despite its geographical remoteness, Lazio is the 16th largest export market in the region: over 380 million euros in 2024, with a 5.4% growth over the previous year. After the United States, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates and China, it is the fifth non-EU country by export value. Lazio is the sixth region in Italy by value of sales to Japan. The main exports to Tokyo are pharmaceuticals (163 million, +26.9%), textiles (67 million, -13.6%), means of transport (41.6 million, -50.9%) and food products (27.5 million, +88.4%). Lazio, on the other hand, imports almost double its exports from Japan in value (690 million). More than 70% of these are motor vehicles.

There is still room for growth in the Rising Sun market. As the 32 companies that have won the non-repayable contribution made available by the Lazio Region to participate in the Expo (they will have the opportunity to participate in meetings with local companies and promotional workshops) know. On the other hand, about fifty applications were received by the Chamber of Commerce of Rome, from micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in the area, to access the contribution to support the expenses of participating in the Expo in Japan.

It will be "an important showcase for Lazio companies and production," explained the president of the Lazio Region, Francesco Rocca. "The objective is to attract investments and create new international collaborations," added the vice-president of the Lazio Region, Roberta Angelilli. "Osaka," explained Lorenzo Tagliavanti, President of the Chamber of Commerce of Rome, "represents a unique opportunity to make the wealth of Rome and Lazio known to the world and an important showcase for Made in Italy.