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After the address
of the President Ernesto Carpintieri who expressed the
Academy’s gratefulness towards the distinguished guests who had
accepted the invitation to participate in the conference, Arch.
Valenti presented AEREC’s activity in the field of the
International co-operation.
“AEREC is committed to promotion in the
institutional, entrepreneurial, economic, cultural and scientific
ambit with the purpose to intensify the presence of our country in
the International relations and in the economic co-operation, as
well as in the humanitarian field. It firmly promotes
International co-operation siding our companies in an increasingly
competitive and difficult scenario. I wish to mention the prospect
of the expansion of the European Union to the Eastern countries
with the consequent reaction of the countries south of Europe;
the fear, in fact, is that the opening to the Eastern countries
may cause problems to or delay the strengthening process between
the European Union and the African and Middle East countries. This
argument is very important as it concerns the creation of a
specific market area instead of another and the consequent
strategies.
Our companies are also concerned by another
problem: they are certainly supported by a system of assistance
and incentives but they are not backed by the global idea of
“country system” which permits them to act incisively with
reference to the innovative factors the International competition
implies. And this lack can be made up by an Institution such as
AEREC which numbers individuals who are qualified in the
entrepreneurial field.”
Eng. Francesco Bruno, Vice President of
AT Kearney and member of AEREC’s Board of Governors, affirms,
”the internationalization is an opportunity for our companies but
at the same time it is a great opportunity for the economy of the
emerging countries which need a pulling force coming from the
Western companies for the industrial and economic development of
their country.
The basic levers for the retrieval of
competitiveness of our companies seem to be substantially three:
first, the innovation of the product, of the service and of the
process; second, the competitiveness of the operational and
organizational processes; third, the internationalization. The
third lever of course does not substitute the foregoing but must
operate in synergy with them. The internationalization is oriented
towards the main industrialized markets. But the expansion in
markets such as Germany, Great Britain, France and the United
States is a very complex operation and requires considerable
investments. Often the defense of the market shares dominates the
expansion in these markets. The strategy of industrialization of
the emerging markets is an important opportunity for our companies
in terms of business, creation and value for the shareholders. The
choice of an emerging market does not depend only on geopolitical
factors but also on the policy of the country with regard to
foreign investors. The presence, today, of distinguished
representatives of these countries testifies the importance of
this problem.”
Prof. Stefano M. Masullo, President of
Opus Consulting and Chancellor of the Independent International
University ISFOA, asserts that the internationalization is not
only an opportunity but above all an obligation because the
markets have no more frontiers, whereas especially the financial
markets have never had them. In this moment, finance, perhaps, is
the only real International market. But as a financial consultant
I have to warn: finance can’t be it’s only end but must be
directed towards the realization of industrial projects.
Internationalization means also network of professions since
competence today is a must: you must be an expert in International
finance, International fiscal planning, law, and so on.
Internationalization, first of all, is culture and then technique
which, in any case, must be interdisciplinary.
Dr. Luciano Rotondi, ex-counselor of the
European Investment Bank and strategic adviser of Artigiancassa,
presented three development programs rich in resources of the
European Union for the companies: “These programs, of course,
concern also disposable funds for governments and public works.
The first program, recently simplified for the companies, concerns
the countries of Eastern Europe which requested the entry into the
European Union. This new system provides the co-operation between
the European Bank, the local banks which were assigned the
resources and the European Union which supplies the not repayable
funds. The second program is MEDA for the Mediterranean countries,
Arch. Valenti previously referred to. The epicenter of this system
is the European Investment Bank which places the finances at the
disposal of local banks in Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, etc. as it is
already doing in the countries of the European Union such as
Italy. The third program of the EU concerns the so-called black
Africa and provides not repayable resources of 11 billions for
five years in favor of governmental social economic programs
without financial profitability, such as schools, water, hospitals
that is to say anything useful to the development of these
countries.
The entrepreneur who intends to operate in
these countries needs advice and support of experts who, for
instance, draw up correctly the request of funds, as well as the
local assistance of competent persons who know the local language
and are able to recognize swaggerers.”
Arch. Valenti made some considerations on the
necessity of the right support.
“At this point I wish to refer again to the
activity of AEREC’s Committee for International Affairs which is a
precious reference point offering support and information and
creating and keeping the necessary contacts with the object that
the activity of the entrepreneur is well oriented, supervised with
the correct approaches and the complex incisiveness which are
necessary for the success of the operation.”
The Ambassador of Mauritania to Italy, H.E.
Hamoud Ould Ely, member of the Honorary Committee of AEREC
says: “This is not the first time that I participate in the
important and valuable initiatives organized by AEREC and I
appreciate its role in the approach between the countries and the
cultures. Africa is a very old continent with many riches and many
resources. It made the experience of a long period of colonization
and, after the attainment of independence and sovereignty, it
sees every state creating its organization establishing relations
of cooperation with all good willing countries. The riches of the
African countries are represented by oil, mines, fishing and of
course by tourism and by the human resources. Some of these
countries are successfully committed to the democratization
process and keep very good relations with European and
Mediterranean countries. Their contacts focus not only on economic
and cultural cooperation but also on security, which concerns all
the countries of the world. Mauritania, I represent here, has
close ties with Italy and a great cooperative potential especially
in the field of the fishing industry, tourism, infrastructures and
in some years also with the production of oil. In order that
cooperation develops positively there must be an effective
exchange between the individuals and the professionals and I hope
that AEREC which has already offered my country several
opportunities will continue to offer this contribution.
The Ambassador of Algeria to Italy, H.E.
Moktar Reguieg started his address expressing his personal
pleasure of having accepted the invitation of AEREC that can be
the right instrument for the exchange of ideas and opinions and
shed light upon the complex program of mutuality, exchange and
co-operation. Algeria attaches a certain importance to the Italian
EU Presidency because we consider Italy, in a certain sense, the
ideal bridge between Europe and my country. There are already
important economic relations between the two countries with an
exchange volume of about $ 6 billions in 2002, destined to
increase on account of important projects in the energetic sector
and in the production of materials of great interest. I think we
have all the necessary requirements in order that this cooperation
increases more and more also in the ambit of political relation.
Algeria is sensible to foreign investments and can offer much in
many sectors. However, we have the impression that the European
Union, not Italy, at the moment, is concentrating on Eastern
countries but we think that it is also very important to fill the
gap between North and South. This is the challenge and we have the
means to face it. We don’t have to waste words but must take
concrete steps.
The Ambassador of Oman to Italy, S.E. Yahya
Abdullah Salim Al-Araimi, presented the opportunities of his
country affirming that Oman, member of WTO, is a politically
stable country which has a very efficient and productive public
sector, a strong financial, in particular banking sector and an
important leadership. Our control system with reference to the big
companies is efficient and the system of international companies
is very well established. The foreign companies use the standards
of the International sector and the propriety of the business is
absolutely open. Oman is situated within the Indian Ocean with
2300 km of coasts and it is consequently very rich in the fishing
sector important for the Italian market. The second sector
concerns energy. The commercialization of gas has been liberalized
in Europe and we have great quantities of gas at our disposal. The
third sector is tourism for which the government is realizing many
projects. We need to exploit this sector in order to diversify our
economy and we are putting important funds at the disposal of who
is interested to invest. These funds can be loans or not repayable
contributions. We have a commercial office at our Embassy which
provides information and assistance necessary for the development
of tourist projects.”
The Ambassador of the Ivory Coast, H.E. Zady
Richard Gbaka , first of all, thanked AEREC for the
humanitarian project it is realizing in his country and associates
with the words of the other Ambassadors with regard to the
necessity of the African countries to have an own space within the
economic challenge. The statistics on the African economy, on the
life conditions, on the mortality and on the alphabetization
aren’t encouraging at all. It is absolutely necessary to create
the economic conditions for the development. Neban is a new
program of partnership, of economic development with the purpose
to provide orientation inviting the private sector to help Africa.
This is fundamental for the economic rebirth of these countries
obviously in a condition of stability and peace as wars and
conflicts do not favor entrepreneurs and investments. Therefore we
have to support those countries which are putting the process of
democratization into effect. I think this kind of meetings are
very necessary for us to express our potentials and what we can
offer the Italian entrepreneurs. But they are also useful for our
entrepreneurs to understand your aspiration and expectations. You
don’t have to be afraid of moving your capitals from Europe to
Africa and I ask you to believe that we are well determined and
always available to inform you on our economy. We do not want that
this continent remains on the fringes of development and we need
serious entrepreneurs who intend to develop our economic
potentials so that our countries are able to make progress and
avoid the dramatic emigration.
After having welcomed the Ambassador of
Cameroon, H.E. Michael Tabong Kima, Arch. Valenti invited
Dr. Luigino Combetto, President of Martini & Rossi, to
describe the experience of his company in the international
scenario.
“To speak about internationalization and of
Martini & Rossi means to mention an unavoidable combination. If
the brand Martini today is so famous this is the consequence of
one of the first strategic decisions at the moment of its
foundation on June 30,1863, that is say to go beyond the national
market. The important international development not only of the
basic product Martini started with the acquisition of other
international brands creating funds that allowed the explosion of
communication we are leader of. The ulterior affirmation of the
brand and our business was achieved by the creation of the group
Martini & Rossi. Before, the group had single companies held
directly by the shareholders in various countries. In the
seventies these societies merged creating this international group
with the head office in Luxembourg. In the nineties the group
Martini merged with the great Rum producer Bacardi and now they
are at the 4th place in the beverage sector in the world.
Today it is very important in a business to
organize the product, the structure and the control of expenses
but above all the human resources. A manager who directs a company
must be able to manage the internal structure and has to be aware
of the necessities of who works with him. Our company considers
this its primary property. Then, there are products which, in the
field of communication, must be lasting. Finally, in order to
progress and improve it is necessary to have an internal
economic-financial balance which is fundamental to be able to
finance oneself.
Hon. Pier Luigi Polverari, President of
Apreite, promotes in Tunisia the co-operation between the Italian
system and the Tunisian market and economy. He asserts that
Tunisia is in transformation from the economic and commercial
point of view: the labour cost corresponds to a fifth of the one
in Italy and there is total tax exemption for ten years for those
who transform their products and reimport them. As to the set-up
of the companies there are no restrictions and the capital can be
100% Italian. Tunisia was one of the first countries that made the
agreement with the European Community to enter into the area of
free exchange which will come into force in 2008. Tunisia is
politically stable and the work conditions are extremely favorable
also from the point of view of the personal and company security.
Consider also its ten-year program for investments and the big
works which will be presented , on July 3, by my agency, Apreite,
together with the Ambassador of Tunisia in Rome to the
Italian-Tunisian chamber of commerce and to the Foreign Trade
Commission in a hall of the Italian Parliament.
Prof. Roberto Tassinari, member of
AEREC’s Board of Governors and President of the Commission for the
internationalization of business of the Parliamentary Observatory
asserts that Italy can’t shirk the process of
internationalization. According to my experience the best
opportunities of investment are doubtless in the developing
African countries. The Baltic countries are in transition, that is
they need other types of intervention and development and during
my frequent travels I noticed that Italy is almost absent in these
countries whereas it is very present in North Romania. In this
case it is not adequate to speak of internationalization as there
are many North Italian companies that have simply transferred
parts of their company in order to spare on the labour costs. But
internationalization does not mean delocation in order to produce
cheaply a product that afterwards will be reimported in Italy with
the denomination “made in Italy”. We have to be very careful that
the process of internationalization takes place in the right
manner. I think the entrepreneurs have to make important efforts
as they are the most important part of the process, more than
governments and institutions.
AEREC’s President Ernesto Carpintieri concluded
the session thanking all speakers and reasserting that AEREC’s
Commission for International Affairs is ready to assist the
Italian companies in the internationalization and expansion
process with qualified professionals who are able to direct and
pilot the projects optimizing time, costs and energies. The
International credit of AEREC today allows to work seriously and
to obtain success without adventures. It is however necessary that
the entrepreneurs express their courage and initiative reckoning
on a well organized structure such as ours which can provide
competence, assistance and reliability. |
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