They shared how they will work with local associations, the latest trends, success stories, future strategies and information about advanced technology with local businesses and entrepreneurs.
The large delegation, led by CONFINDUSTRIA – the Italian Confederation of Industries with the support of the Italian Embassy’s Italian Trade Agency arm (ICE), came as part of the contingent for the second edition of the High Level Dialogue on ASEAN Italy Economic Relations held on 11 April 2018.
2018 marks two decades since Singapore and Italy embarked on formal economic co-operation and exchange. Recognising that innovation drives the transformation of economies and societies, Singapore and Italy agreed to intensify long-term co-operation across various sectors from fashion to healthcare, furniture and technology. “Singapore, with its Smart City ambition, and businesses around the region can take advantage of the opportunities we bring. With cummulative knowledge and strong relationships, we can leverage on our experience to overcome challenges and fast-track the attainment of industrial and development goals,” said Mr Leonardo Radicati, Director Italian Trade Agency Singapore.
Italian exports to the international market have increased by 7.4%, with a surplus of 47.5 billion euro in 2017. Bilateral trade between Italy and ASEAN countries have reached 16 billion euro in 2017, with an increase of 10.2% in exports.
UCIMU Sistemi Per Produrre – Italian machine tool, robots, automation systems and ancilliary products manufacturers’ association
A representative association of Italian Manufacturers, UCIMU, will help improve commercial networks and implement university networks. Mr. Massimo Carboniero, President of UCIMU and Managing Director of OMERA S.R.L. shared that the 2018 edition of BI-MU trade show organised by UCIMU will be held in Milan, at Fiera Milano, Rho, from the 9th to 13th of October 2018. ASEAN end-user are invited. The association will also organise study tours of the main ASEAN countries and provide local end-user analysis. UCIMU will also implement Technology Centres that feature Italian machine tools in ASEAN.
ANIMA – Federation of Italian Associations of Mechanical and Engineering Sectors
ANIMA aims to strengthen ties with Government, Institutions, Trade Associations with those in ASEAN countries over the next three years. They will do this through Trade Fairs, B2B missions and events dedicated to showcase Italy’s technological excellence from a “solution enabler” point of view. It will also host B2B sessions in Italy dedicated to ASEAN partners.
Mr. Alberto Caprari, President ANIMA and CEO Caprari SpA. shared that there is an increasing trend in food production machinery and is expecting a great request from industries of bigger ASEAN markets and partners.
MCE Asia 2018 will be held in Singapore, at Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre, from the 5th to 7th of September 2018.
Confindustria Digitale – Association for Italian Digital Technology
In 2017, the Italian digital market exceeded 67 billion euros, up by 2.3%, and is expected to grow further. Digital Enablers (the IoT, Cybersecurity, Cloud, Big Data, Web Management Platforms and Mobile Business) are driving the growth of ICT investment by businesses. Emerging technologies such as Blockchain and Cognitive Computing, though it is hard to measure such values, they are expected to support market growth in the medium term.
Mr. Alberto Tripi, Board Member, Confindustria Digitale, highlighted that Italy’s technological advancements can benefit ASEAN's various industries.
Confindustria Moda – A New Federation for Associations of Textiles, Fashion and Accessories
Fashion exports from clothing to footwear, textile, leatherwear, eyewear and jewellery reached almost 48.8 billion euros in the first 10 months of 2017, a 5.9% increase compared to the same time of 2016.
"The ASEAN markets have been growing fast in the last five years and in the Region. By 2025, there will be a consuming class of 123 million people with high income. For the fashion industry, the Area has a great potential as the new customers are asking more and more for Made in Italy products. Singapore is the entry point to reach the ASEAN countries for distribution projects and also for manufacturing co-operation," said Claudio Marenzi, President, Confindustria Moda.
Assocalzaturifici – Italian Footwear Manufacturers’ Association
This sector has a turnover of about 14.2 billion euro yearly and exports 85% of its production. Between January and October 2017, 180.6 million pairs of shoes (2.6 million more than the same period in 2016) were sold abroad with a total value of 7.78 billion euro, a 1.5% increase in quantity and a 3.3% increase in value.
The association organises the world’s most important footwear fashion fairs such as MICAM Milano. In 2017 exports to Singapore remained unchanged in volume (301,217 pairs, worth 34.69 million euros) representing approximately half of totals for ASEAN.
“Italian footwear exports reached the highest value in the last 15 years, even when considered net of inflation. According to projections, the final result for the year 2017 as a whole should be around 9.2 billion euro. A new record in commercial trade especially with ASEAN buyers is expected in 2018,” said Mr. Tommaso Cancellara, Director General and CEO MICAM.
AIMPES – Italian Leather Goods Association
AIMPES represents the leather goods sector which is worth 7.5 billion euros. It organises MIPEL, the international leather goods and fashion accessories exhibition, which takes place twice a year in Milan in February and September, during Milano Fashion Week.
“Statistics on leather goods show a very positive trend in the ASEAN markets with significant increase of our export in the last years. Thanks to the high quality of Italian leather goods we can further improve our cooperation and AIMPES will continue to undertake more promotional initiatives in the Area”, said Mr. Riccardo Braccialini, President of AIMPES and MIPEL.
Cosmetica Italia – Personal Care Association
About 60% or more of the make-up distributed throughout the world is produced in Italy. The Italian cosmetics sector is worth 11 billion euros in turnover in 2017, an increase of 4.3% from 2016.
ASEAN countries attracted about 88 million euros of Italian cosmetics last year with a growth of 9.6% on the previous year. The largest category of Italian exports are alcohol-based perfume products (47 million euros), following products for hair care (18 million euros), these two categories account for about 75% of total Italian cosmetics exports to ASEAN.
Singapore is the leading country of total Italian cosmetics exports to ASEAN with an amount of 57.5 million euros (+9.3% on previous year). Cosmetics companies in Italy invest about 6% of the turnover in research and development, against a national average estimated to be about 3%.
“The figures highlight the competitive nature of the Italian cosmetics industry, despite the uncertainty of the political-economic situation. The Made in Italy cosmetics sector reaffirms its constant attention to investments in innovation and in customer service, validated by the response from the domestic market and also from the international ones such as ASEAN," said Mr. Fabio Rossello, President of Cosmetica Italia.
Federlegno Arredo – Italian Federation of Wood, Cork, Furniture and Furnishing Industries
This woodworking and furniture sector saw a total turnover of 41.3 billion euros in 2017. Export amounts to 15 billion euros. Italian wood-furnishing export to ASEAN last year was 193 million euros (+4.3%). As ambassadors of the Italian flair of living worldwide, this association organises fairs such as the Salone Internazionale del Mobile which is the world’s largest furniture fair, the MADE
fair devoted to architecture and construction, fairs in Moscow and Shanghai, as well as Salone Satellite which showcases emerging designers under 35 years. Each represents the global benchmark for furniture and design.
Mr. Nazzareno Mengoni, President of the Young Entrepreneurs, shared that they are looking into understanding the trends in ASEAN markets, and is keen to scout opportunities for strategic partnerships with local industry.
Farmindustria - Association of Pharmaceutical Companies
The pharmaceutical industry in Italy represents 30 billion euros in manufacturing value of which 75% are from exports. Each year, 2.7 billion euros is invested in research and development (1.5 billion euros) and high-tech equipment (1.2 billion euros).
Mr. Pierluigi Petrone, Member of the Board Farmindustria, shared that Italian life sciences' R&D ranks among the best in the World and that there will be many opportunities available for ASEAN partnership.
