Date:
10 May 2018
Statement by Marco Bonometti, President of Confindustria Lombardia
Milan, 10 May 2018 – “The recovery in Lombardy continues at a sustained pace, and the data presented today at Unioncamere confirms what Confindustria Lombardia had already sensed among its members: Lombard businesses have moved from merely resisting to actively reacting. It is essential at this moment not to squander the efforts made for growth and to provide the country with leadership as soon as possible, without wasting any more time. We understand the natural pace of politics differs from that of business, but European dossiers on cohesion funds and budgetary policies must be managed by a united Italian system: economic stakeholders, as well as regional and national institutions.”
THE DATA - The economic analysis for the first quarter of 2018 is therefore positive, despite a deceleration compared to the surge recorded in 2017. All indicators are growing, and a look at the year-on-year data reveals a clear shift in the regional economy, driven by the manufacturing sector and its exports. The driving role of Lombardy’s manufacturing sector is clearly evident from the Industrial Production Index, which is now at European levels and well above the Italian average. Furthermore, exports remain a defining element of our economy, showing excellent results in both quarterly and year-on-year terms. The 1% increase in employment is highly significant, demonstrating, as stated in the previous report, that the rise in production, turnover, and orders is reflected in employment in the medium term.
COMPETITIVE LOMBARDY – In Lombardy, the goal of the new legislature must be competitiveness, a categorical commitment that must shape the actions not only of the regional government but of all stakeholders involved. We must work together on a shared project focused on common interests: a strong Lombard system is the prerequisite for meeting the challenge of competitiveness. Confindustria Lombardia intends to be a protagonist in this process, contributing to a long-term development project that must necessarily extend beyond the term of the legislature. Within this horizon, business must be placed at the centre of regional policies as a primary social asset from which the founding values and well-being of a territory arise. Personal agendas and individual interests must be overcome to pursue the general interest.
ITALY TOMORROW – As Confindustria continues to emphasise, most recently through the proposal for an economic policy for the country contained in the 'Italy Tomorrow' document, reducing uncertainty requires sharing a vision on real problems and implementing a series of concrete interventions that convey the sense of a country on the move, efficient, open, and eager to grow. Our vision for the country focuses on three key concepts: more jobs and therefore more business, more growth, and less public debt.”
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