Sace and Simest, which together form the export and internationalization pole of the Cassa Depositi e Prestiti group, have signed a memorandum of understanding with the Italian Exhibitions and Fairs Association (Aefi), aimed at identifying areas of common intervention to promote and encourage the internationalization process of Italian trade fairs and companies.
“A national exhibition system with a strong international projection is essential to attract visitors from abroad and to support the presence of our entrepreneurial system in exhibitions around the world – observed Benedetto Della Vedova, Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation – Precisely to give impetus and concreteness to this mission, this agreement formalises and structures a strategic collaboration between the financial and exhibition dimensions of our exports. The objective is to consolidate and further strengthen the successes of Italian companies on international markets, determining factors for the recovery which is starting to become more consistent”.
Ettore Riello, President of Aefi, underlined that “the agreement is part of the association's activities aimed at promoting the development of an industrial policy in the country in which trade fairs are the vehicle of promotion abroad for Made in Italy companies and excellence. Thanks to the financial and insurance solutions studied by Sace and Simest for Aefi, our associates will have a further opportunity for development on foreign markets. We are certain that the various resources made available will lead to an increase in the direct presence of Italian trade fairs abroad”.
“I promoted the agreement between AEFI, SACE and SIMEST with great conviction – he added Pietro Piccinetti, Coordinator of the AEFI Internationalization Commission – because I firmly believe that internationalization is a fundamental strategic lever for the country-system and that trade fairs are the ideal bridgehead for entering foreign markets. Fairs give rise to 50% of Italian exports and are the main vehicle for spreading the image of our country and of Made in Italy in the world. In order to continue to do this, and to do it even better, it is vital that they receive all possible support from the institutions and bodies in charge and I am sure that what has been signed today will develop in this perspective”.
