April 16, 2018

Nine major Italian federations representing sectors from fashion to healthcare and technology, arrived in Singapore to promote the “Made In Italy” label. They shared how they will work with local associations, the latest trends, success stories, future strategies and information about advanced technology with local businesses and entrepreneurs. The large delegation, led by CONFINDUSTRIA—the Italian Confederation of Industries with the support of the Italian Embassy’s Italian Trade Agency arm (ICE), came as part of the contingent for the second edition of the High Level Dialogue on ASEAN Italy Economic Relations held on 11 April 2018.

2018 marks two decades since Singapore and Italy embarked on formal economic co-operation and exchange. Recognising that innovation drives the transformation of economies and societies, Singapore and Italy agreed to intensify long-term co-operation across various sectors from fashion to healthcare, furniture and technology.

“Singapore, with its Smart City ambition, and businesses around the region can take advantage of the opportunities we bring. With cummulative knowledge and strong relationships, we can leverage on our experience to overcome challenges and fast-track the attainment of industrial and development goals,” said Mr Leonardo Radicati, Director Italian Trade Agency Singapore.

Italian exports to the international market have increased by 7.4%, with a surplus of 47.5 billion euro in 2017. Bilateral trade between Italy and ASEAN countries have reached 16 billion euro in 2017, with an increase of 10.2% in exports. 

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The 9 Sector Federations

UCIMU Sistemi Per Produrre—Italian machine tool, robots, automation systems and ancilliary products manufacturers’ association

UCIMU will help improve commercial networks and implement university networks, attend the most important ASEAN trade fairs while inviting ASEAN end-users to BI-MU Fair (9-13 Oct 2018) to be held in Milan. The association will also organise study tours of the main ASEAN countries and provide local end-user analysis. UCIMU will also implement Technology Centres that feature Italian machine tools in ASEAN.

“The ASEAN countries represent not only an interesting area of diffusion of “Made in Italy” of the sector, but also a stimulating opportunity to co-operate with the local manufacturing companies. For this reason, UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE takes part in “High Level Dialogue on ASEAN-Italy Economic Relations” whose aim is to improve the dialogue among Italian and ASEAN companies and institutions,” said Massimo Carboniero, President UCIMU SISTEMI PER PRODURRE and Managing Director OMERA S.R.L.

ANIMA—Federation of Italian Associations of Mechanical and Engineering Sectors

Laos increased its orders by five-fold, Indonesia by 35.9%, Philippines by 38.6%, Malaysia by 17,2% and Vietnam by 15,1%, while Thailand and Singapore decreased its orders by 41% and 31.3% respectively. Overall, Italy saw -2.8% in exports of Mechanical Technologies and Engineering to ASEAN in 2017 when compared to 2016. In ASEAN countries over the next three years, ANIMA aims to strengthen ties with Government, Institutions, Trade Associations. They will do this through Trade Fairs, B2B missions and events dedicated to showcase Italy’s technological excellence from a “solution enabler” point of view. It will also host B2B sessions in Italy dedicated to ASEAN partners.

“We expect a great request of Top class Energy Efficiency Technologies (starting from cooling plants and Water treatment tech) as well as industrial components and equipment (valves, pumps, pressure equipment, turbines) from the bigger ASEAN markets while Building and Construction technologies and Food technologies especially from Vietnam and Philippines as well as from all the ASEAN partners,” said Alberto Caprari, President ANIMA and CEO Caprari SpA.

Confindustria Digitale—Association for Italian Digital Technology

In 2017, the Italian digital market exceeded 67 billion euros, up by 2.3%. A further 3% growth is expected up to 2019, driven by laptop PCs and servers, application platforms and professional services, especially System Integration and Consulting. Digital Enablers (the IoT, Cybersecurity, Cloud, Big Data, Web Management Platforms and Mobile Business) are driving the growth of ICT investment by businesses. Emerging technologies such as Blockchain and Cognitive Computing, though it is hard to measure such values, they are expected to support market growth in the medium term.

“The industrial ecosystem is changing. We can turn ‘advanced production systems’ into ‘Intelligent’ ones. We can help manufacturers turn from ‘mass producers’ into ‘mass customisers’; from focus on ‘product sale’ to ‘product servitisation’,” said Alberto Tripi, Board Member, Confindustria Digitale.

Italy’s technological advancements in co-operative robotics, additive manufacturing, augmented virtual reality, simulation, digital integration. Industrial internet, cloud computing, cybersecurity and big data analytics can benefit ASEAN’s industries such as fashion and luxury, tourism and artistic heritage, financial services, automotive and transportation, energy and utilities, environment and agrifood, healthcare and mechanics and special machines.

Confindustria Moda—A New Federation for Associations of Textiles, Fashion and Accessories

In the first ten months of 2017, fashion exports from clothing to footwear, textile, leatherwear, eyewear and jewellery reached almost 48.8 billion euros in the first 10 months of 2017, growing by 5.9% compared to the same time of 2016.

“The ASEAN markets have been growing fast in the last five years and in the Region. By 2025, there will be a consuming class of 123 million people with high income. For the fashion industry, the Area has a great potential as the new customers are asking more and more for Made in Italy products. Singapore is the entry point to reach the ASEAN countries for distribution projects and also for manufacturing co-operation,” said Claudio Marenzi, President, Confindustria Moda.

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Assocalzaturifici—Italian Footwear Manufacturers’ Association

This sector has a turnover of about 14.2 billion euro yearly and exports 85% of its production. Between January and October 2017, 180.6 million pairs of shoes (2.6 million more than the same period in 2016) were sold abroad with a total value of 7.78 billion euro, a +1.5% increase in quantity and a +3.3% increase in value. The association organises the world’s most important footwear fashion fairs such as MICAM Milano. It is scheduled to be presented in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta in July this year. In 2017 exports to Singapore remained unchanged in volume (301,217 pairs, worth 34.69 million euros) representing approximately half of totals for ASEAN.

“Italian footwear exports reached the highest value in the last 15 years, even when considered net of inflation. According to projections, the final result for the year 2017 as a whole should be around 9.2 billion euro. A new record in commercial trade especially with ASEAN buyers is expected in 2018,” said Tommaso Cancellara, Director General and CEO MICAM.

AIMPES—Italian Leather Goods Association

AIMPES represents the leather goods sector which is worth 7.5 billion euros. It organises MIPEL, the international leather goods and fashion accessories exhibition, which takes place twice a year in Milan in February and September, during Milano Fashion Week.

“Statistics on leather goods show a very positive trend in the ASEAN markets with significant increase of our export in the last years. Thanks to the high quality of Italian leather goods we can further improve our cooperation and AIMPES will continue to undertake more promotional initiatives in the Area”, said Riccardo Braccialini, President of AIMPES and MIPEL.

Cosmetica Italia—Personal Care Association

60% of the make-up distributed throughout the world is produced in Italy. The Italian cosmetics sector is worth 11 billion euros in turnover in 2017, an increase of 4.3% from 2016. ASEAN countries attracted about 88 million euros of Italian cosmetics last year with a growth of 9.6% on the previous year. The largest category of Italian exports are alcohol-based perfume products (47 million euros), following products for hair care (18 million euros), these two categories account for about 75% of total Italian cosmetics exports to ASEAN.

Singapore is the leading country of total Italian cosmetics exports to ASEAN with an amount of 57.5 million euros (+9.3% on previous year). Cosmetics companies in Italy invest about 6% of the turnover in research and development, against a national average estimated to be about 3%.

“The figures highlight the competitive nature of the Italian cosmetics industry, despite the uncertainty of the political-economic situation. The Made in Italy cosmetics sector reaffirms its constant attention to investments in innovation and in customer service, validated by the response from the domestic market and also from the international ones such as ASEAN,” said Fabio Rossello, President of Cosmetica Italia.

Federlegno Arredo—Italian Federation of Wood, Cork, Furniture and Furnishing Industries

This woodworking and furniture sector saw a total turnover of 41.3 billion euros in 2017. Export amounts to 15 billion euros. Italian wood-furnishing export to ASEAN last year was 193 million euros (+4.3%).

As ambassadors of the Italian flair of living worldwide, this association organises fairs such as the Salone Internazionale del Mobile which is the world’s largest furniture fair, the MADE fair devoted to architecture and construction, fairs in Moscow and Shanghai, as well as Salone Satellite which showcases emerging designers under 35 years. Each represents the global benchmark for furniture and design.

“The 2015 Salone Satellite saw a record of 372,151 attendees, mostly from abroad. Our objectives now are to understand trends in ASEAN wood and furniture markets, and to scout opportunities for strategic partnerships with local industry,” said Nazzareno Mengoni, President of the Young Entrepreneurs.

Farmindustria—Association of Pharmaceutical Companies

The pharmaceutical industry in Italy represents 30 billion euros in manufacturing value of which 75% are from exports.  Each year, 2.7 billion euros is invested in research and development (1.5 billion euros) and high-tech equipment (1.2 billion euros).

“Italian life sciences’ R&D ranks among the best in the world. Many opportunities for ASEAN partnership abound for upstream sectors as our highly-qualified human resources are productive,” said Pierluigi Petrone, Member of the Board Farmindustria.

Italy has first-class capabilities that match the needs of a rapidly evolving ASEAN. The region can leverage the “Made In Italy” success to fast-track their own goals.