Eleven
provinces contribute to make Lombardy unique
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of Lombardy’s key strengths is the diversity of its 11 provinces,
from the largest, Brescia, to the smallest and youngest, Lodi, established
in 1995. The territory covers an area of 9,213 sq miles, making it the
fourth-largest region in Italy, behind Sicily, Piedmont and Sardinia.
It is also one of the most heavily populated, centred around the province
of Milan, which has a residential density five times higher than the
Lombardy average and ten times higher than the national average.
Bergamo, to the north-east of Milan, boasts
a strong export-driven economy, with a rich cluster of small and medium-sized
firms fuelled by an entrepreneurial spirit. It has a diverse industrial
spread and is a world leader in textile machinery, with the presence
of renowned organisations such as the Itema Group. There is a strong
infrastructure in place including the Orio al Serio International Airport,
a major hub for airlines such as Ryanair, with good links to the UK.
Valerio Bettoni, Bergamo’s President, says the province is laying
the foundations for a world-class competitive territory. “The world
is changing fast and Bergamo is going to keep pace with it.”
Other top names in the province include Brembo which supplies brakes
to Ferrari and other car makers. Alberto Bombassei, Brembo’s President
and Chief Executive, believes the province is a regional powerhouse.
“Look at the fashion industry – if Milan is the glittery window,
Bergamo is where things are actually made.”
Mantua, in the south-east corner of Lombardy,
is another export-focused economy, again strong in the mechanical sector
and in textiles. Culture and tourism are also of paramount importance.
Its President, Maurizio Fontanili, is keen to exploit these advantages.
He hopes to build a new 200-room hotel in the city centre to capture
more of the growing tourism market. Mantua, a casket full of artistic
and cultural jewels, ranks alongside Florence and Venice for educational
trips, he says. Investors will find the province an easy place to do
business. “Ours is a swift, efficient economy where decisions are
taken fast and words are kept absolutely.”
Pavia, just half an hour’s drive south
of Milan, has a high degree of diversification and productivity, from
high technology to modern farming. It is also Europe’s biggest
rice producer. Silvio Beretta, President of the province, says Pavia
benefits from a close proximity to Milan and its associated infrastructure,
but without the strain and congestion. “This is very attractive
to new companies, not only locally, but also from an international outlook.”
Pavia is expanding its educational infrastructure,
emerging as a centre for research and development with close links to
industry. In a city of 70,000, the University of Pavia, the oldest in
Lombardy and one of the most prestigious in Italy, with links to some
of Britain’s finest academic institutions, has over 20,000 students.
Roberto Schmid, the university’s Rector, believes the development
of a strong research culture is essential in maintaining the region’s
competitiveness. “In today’s knowledge-based society, cutting
research means undermining the country’s very future.”
The southern province of Cremona, a strong
agricultural area, known as the green province, is home to some of the
best technical centres in the country. It is particularly strong in
agricultural research and development. The local authorities are keen
to broaden the economy and develop the skills base. Other local industries
include machinery, high precision instruments – this is the province
where Stradivarius violins are made – chemicals, textiles and wood
production.
Sondrio is the most northern of Lombardy’s
provinces and one of the most beautiful with its Alpine setting –
Sondrio was elected the most liveable city in Italy in 2002. It is one
of the largest provinces in terms of size but one of the smallest in
terms of contribution to the regional economy. Bormio and Livigno and
the Valtellina area are favourite destinations for skiing in the winter
and trekking in the summer. Bormio is due to host the 2005 World Ski
Championships and Livigno the 2005 World Mountain Bike Championships.
Sondrio’s President Eugenio Tarabini believes the sporting championships
in two years time will have a major impact on the development of the
province’s infrastructure. The authorities are keen to bolster
the area’s air transport links to improve flight connections and
to boost tourism. The province is also strong in the metal-mechanical
sector, construction and wood processing. Local agricultural output
includes famous cheeses and apples.
Other provinces in Lombardy include Varese, Lecco and Como, all just
to the north of Milan. Collectively, these provinces contribute something
unique and essential to the region. Lombardy is known worldwide, not
only as a place to do business, but as somewhere to relax and enjoy,
somewhere to savour the very best of Italy.