World Report

Each of the nine provinces of Emilia Romagna has its own character but they all share an entrepreneurial drive

mong the nine provinces of Emilia Romagna the best known are those that share the name of their famous cities: Rimini, Modena and Bologna.

One of Europe’s leading holiday areas, Rimini has been redefining its approach to tourism and developing other aspects of its economy. Major investments are being made in infrastructure, with millions of euros being spent on new congress centres and improved transport facilities. “Our main strategy is diversification,” says the province’s President, Fernando Fabbri, while the Mayor of Rimini, Alberto Ravaioli, states: “We are investing in our culture, history and identity, and building relationships with the rest of the world.”

From Pavarotti to Parmesan, Ferraris to the former glories of the past, the provinces of Emilia Romagna offer high quality products and some of the best examples of Italian culture

Like Rimini, Ferrara and Forlì-Cesena, Ravenna borders the Adriatic, with beaches extending along more than 20 miles of coastline to attract the tourists. Ravenna is an important agricultural and maritime centre; the Port of Ravenna is one of Italy’s main ports, with over 20 million tons of goods transferred annually.

Famous for Ferrari cars, tenor Luciano Pavarotti, who was born there, Lambrusco wine and balsamic vinegar, Modena is one of the most economically advanced provinces in Europe, exporting goods to 183 countries. Approximately 74,000 businesses are registered with Modena’s Chamber of Commerce, which is dedicated to helping them prosper in the globalised market. “We hold courses to enable companies to become more competitive and produce products with a higher technological content,” says Alberto Mantovani, the chamber’s President.

Bologna ranks second in Italy for per-capita GDP and is a major road and rail interchange that connects Emilia Romagna with Europe and the world. The city of Bologna is the largest in the region, with 400,000 inhabitants. A major commercial and industrial centre, it is headquarters to the regional authorities and the home of Europe’s oldest university.

Parma Province has important food industries and is particularly known for Parma ham and Parmesan cheese. The province is a significant tourist, industrial and agricultural centre with a regional airport, and ranks fifth in Italy for per-capita GDP and second in the region for increased exports over the past ten years.

Reggio Emilia, rated sixth among Italian provinces for per-capita GDP, has over the past decade achieved the largest increase of all regional provinces in exports to the EU. Piacenza Province, which is notable for wine production, has virtually doubled its exports and has been developing business relations with non-EU countries and Asia.