World Report

A vast network of small and medium-sized businesses extends across the Northern Italian region of Emilia Romagna, making it one of Italy’s most productive and prosperous areas

milia Romagna is one of Italy’s leading regions for economic performance, accounting for 9 per cent of the country’s gross domestic product and 11.5 per cent of its exports. An estimated one in 10 of Emilia Romagna’s population of four million is self-employed or owns a business.

Situated in the north of Italy, extending from the eastern coast almost to the western side of the country, Emilia Romagna covers a total area of 56,635 square miles, and has a highly developed road, rail, port and airport infrastructure linking it to the rest of Italy and Europe.

The people of the region work hard and enjoy a high quality of life. GDP per capita is 30 per cent above the national average; unemployment is half the national average, at just 3.3 per cent.

More than 400,000 enterprises are located in Emilia Romagna, 97 per cent of which are small or medium-sized businesses. Over 34 per cent of total GDP comes from the industrial sector, which comprises more than 110,000 firms and incorporates some of the most important industrial clusters in Italy.

The region is particularly notable for its food sector – famously Parma ham, Parmesan cheese and balsamic vinegar – its metal and machinery industry and ceramics. It is also an important hub of Italian fashion, known for textiles, clothing and footwear, and home to the design and production centres of some of the most notable fashion stylists.

VASCO ERRANI
President of Emilia Romagna Region

‘‘This is a region that has many resources and widespread wealth’

Tourism makes a significant contribution to the economy, the main attraction for visitors being the beaches of the Adriatic coast, while important national and international trade fairs are held at Bologna, Rimini, Parma and Piacenza.
Vasco Errani, Emilia Romagna’s President, has a clear view of what makes the region such an attractive and dynamic place to live and work. “This is a region with many resources – human resources above all – and widespread wealth, which is the result of entrepreneurial spirit and a network of services that allow families to work, study and live well.
“We have always been distinguished by the quality of our products and our services. Quality is needed today more than ever. Our approach is to promote innovation to ensure that the region’s production system becomes one with a high value-added component.”

The regional administration is effective at containing costs and Emilia Romagna has a low level of public debt. “We are satisfied with what we have achieved and we are working to achieve new goals,” declares Mr Errani. His administration’s priorities are reflected in four main spending areas: social security, employment and economic growth, security and the environment.

This year will see major investment in new projects in the public works and service areas. The largest share will go to transport, followed by housing, environmental protection, economic and labour development, and health and civil defence. Annual expenditure on research and development in the region totals more than £1.5 billion.

Seven per cent of Emilia Romagna’s exports are to the UK, the region’s third largest export partner within the EU after Germany and France. “Trade with the UK is strong, and we are very interested in working with British firms in innovative areas,” says Mr Errani. “Foreign companies are starting to realise the quality of the region’s economy. From the perspective of productivity and competence, our workers are second to none.”