Asean

Redazione published in Economy and trade, Itasean

Working breakfast with Ivan Scalfarotto, Undersecretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Ivan Scalfarotto Associazione Italia-ASEAN

Undersecretary Scalfarotto described the strategy to support the internationalization of Italian enterprises.

On February 17th, the Italy-ASEAN Association had the pleasure to host a meeting in Milan with Mr. Ivan Scalfarotto, Undersecretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. Undersecretary Scalfarotto discussed alongside Secretary General Alessia Mosca and the Members of the Association about the position of Italy in the current state of international trade.

Undersecretary Scalfarotto confirmed the commitment of the Italian Government to strengthen the economic and diplomatic ties with ASEAN and described the strategy to support the internationalization of Italian enterprises

He highlighted the importance of international trade for the Italian economy. As a matter of fact, exports were fundamental for economic growth during the latest financial crisis: between 2010 and 2017, Italian export grew of +6,4%, while the GDP shrank of -0,8%. Italy would have suffered even more of the economic crisis, if its enterprises were not able to rely on foreign markets.

Furthermore, the “Made in Italy” brand is based on the production of high-quality goods from imported products, such as agri-food and textile products. For example, Italy is well-known for coffee and chocolate, but it does not produce coffee beans and cocoa. Italy does not even produce enough wheat to support its pasta industry

Given the skills of the Italian enterprises, one might be tempted to think that companies can compete on global markets on their own. However, Undersecretary Scalfarotto stressed that, globally, the value of G2G (Government to Government) agreements far exceed those of B2B (Business to Business). He explained that the government can and should play a role as a pro-active actor in facilitating economic exchange. Indeed, it is hard for single companies to install a stable and trusty dialogue with foreign partners without receiving the support of the Government (especially in Asian countries).

To this matter, Undersecretary Scalfarotto then proceed by reporting cases where the Italian Government - through its agencies - was crucial for the internationalization of Italian enterprises. As an example, he cited the role of Cassa Depositi e Prestiti Group in filling the void left by financial institutions in providing funding credit to Italian companies. He also stated that the Italian Government is currently addressing in a unified manner critical issues to international trade, such as external tariffs and duties.

Undersecretary Scalfarotto emphasized that trade can play a key role as a foreign policy instrument, as the Trump administration have showed. Therefore, Government should intervene in crucial sectors where irregularities can emerge (as it is the case with 5G technologies), in order to establish a level playing field. level playing field.

In conclusion, Undersecretary Scalfarotto highlighted the strategic role of the Association of South-east Asian Nations. From the economic point of view, it represents in total the 5th largest economy in the world. From a geopolitical point of view, instead, the region is a great stabilizer to the tensions between bigger regional powers. Therefore, Italy and the European Union should play a more active role in South-East Asia, filling the void left by the US in Asia-Pacific. In fact, strengthening the economic relations with Asian countries can be a tool to promote political stability and growth in the region, a strategy already adopted by the European Union in Latin America.

 

 

0 Share
Redazione published in Itasean

Lecture by Vivian Balakrishnan, Singapore's Minister for Foreign Affairs

On his first official visit to Italy, the Singapore's Minister of Foreign Affairs met with the Italy-ASEAN Association

On December 19th 2019, Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan held a conference on the evolution of globalization at the office of the Italy-ASEAN Association in Rome.

During his speech, Mr Balakrishnan stressed the long-lasting and stable relationship between Italy and Singapore. In particular, Italy was one of the first countries in the world to recognize Singapore's independence in 1965.

Today, more than 600 Italian companies are active in Singapore and, at the same time also Singaporean investments in Italy are considerable. The recent trade agreement between the European Union and Singapore, which came into force in November 2019, has the potential to further intensify economic exchanges.

Today, more than 600 Italian companies are active in Singapore and, at the same time also Singaporean investments in Italy are considerable. The recent trade agreement between the European Union and Singapore, which came into force in November 2019, has the potential to further intensify economic exchanges.

The Straits Times, an influential Singaporean newspaper, reported a more detailed account of Mr Balakrishnan's visit to Italy. The article is available at the following link.

0 Share
Redazione published in Itasean

Working Breakfast on Malaysia

A working breakfast on Malaysia was held to pave the way for the nextHigh Level Dialogue in Kuala Lumpur

On December 3rd 2019, the Italy-ASEAN Association organized a working Breakfast on Malaysia in its Milan office at the presence of H.E. the Ambassador Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino

The event represented the first step towards the fourth High Level Dialogue, which will be held in Kuala Lumpur on July 1st and 2nd 2020. High Level Dialogue, che si terrà a Kuala Lumpur il 1° e 2 luglio 2020.

The High Level Dialogue is an annual summit, jointly organized by the Italy-ASEAN Association and The European House - Ambrosetti. It represents the most important Italian event in ASEAN, bringing together business and institutional leaders of the two regions.

During the event, Ambassador Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino introduced the opportunities Malaysia can offer to Italy. Gaia Brandolin, on behalf of the Malaysia Investment Development Authority, presented the tools that Malaysia provides to foreign companies interested in investing in the country

Moreover, Lorenzo Tavazzi (Associate Partner and Head of Scenario & Intelligence Department, The European House-Ambrosetti) updated participants on the preparatory work for the High Level DialogueHigh Level Dialogue.

Finally, the Secretary General of the Italy-ASEAN Association, Alessia Mosca, moderated a discussion among participants.

0 Share
Redazione published in Itasean

L’Associazione Italia-ASEAN partecipa a Bookcity 2019

Il Presidente Letta e il Vice presidente Orlandi presentano ASEAN for Italy e Le Anime dello Sviluppo

L’Associazione Italia-ASEAN partecipa a Bookcity, organizzando due eventi: Il Sud-est Asiatico dopo Salgari e “Apocalypse Now”. Un viaggio tra geopolitica, economia, culture e tradizioni e Le anime dello sviluppo: dialogo su geoeconomia e religione da Milano all’Asia. Entrambi gli eventi si terranno il 15 novembre, a Milano.

Il primo evento si terrà alle ore 17.00 nell’ufficio dell’Associazione a Milano in Corso Buenos Aires 56. Il Vice presidente Romeo Orlandi presenterà il libro ASEAN FOR ITALY. L’ASEAN per il sistema Italia. Assieme al giornalista, Danilo Taino, e all’Ambasciatrice dell’Indonesia in Italia, Esti Andayani, si discuterà a fondo del “miracolo” ASEAN.

Il secondo evento avrà luogo, invece, alle ore 19.00 nel Castello Sforzesco. Il Presidente Letta si confronterà con S.E.R Mario Delpini, Archivescovo di Milano, su come la dimensione geopolitica ed economica del sud-est asiatico sia fortemente intrecciata alle questioni religiose.

Il complicato connubio tra religione e geopolitica nell’odierno villaggio globale è infatti il tema principale del libro Le anime dello sviluppo. Religioni ed economia nel sud-est asiatico.

0 Share
Redazione published in Economy and trade, Itasean

E-commerce as an opportunity to enter ASEAN market

The Italy-ASEAN Association analyses the growth of the digital market in South-East Asia.

On 14th October 2019, the Italy-ASEAN Association held a working breakfast on e-commerce opportunities in South-East Asia.

During the event, the development of the e-commerce sector in the region was discussed, highlighting the implications for Italian companies.

The speakers of the event were Giulia Ajmone Marsan (Strategy and Partnership Director at ERIA), Tito Costa (partner at Global Founders Capital), and Marco Ogliengo (founder and CEO of ProntoPro).

ASEAN countries have increased their investments in the digital sector, whose growth has been impressive in recent years. Three factors have favoured the development of the sector in the region: technological progress, demography and - paradoxically - the low level of traditional infrastructure.

E-commerce represents a possible solution to market imperfections in Southeast Asia. However, the sector is still complex and has not yet reached its full potential.

ASEAN's e-commerce market is expected to be worth $350 billion by 2025.

0 Share
Redazione published in Itasean

Presentation event of the Italy-ASEAN Association, in Naples and Vicenza

The Italy-ASEAN Association presented the opportunities offered by South-East Asian markets, in two meetings in Naples and Vicenza.

The Italy-ASEAN Association keeps presenting the opportunities offered by the South-East Asian markets to Italian businesses.

The Association has promoted two events in Naples (on 25th October) and Vicenza (on 13th December), in order to presento local companies its activities and ASEAN's growth figures. The events were organized in collaboration with Unione Industriali di Napoli and Confindustria Vicenza, which we thank for their support.

The Italy-ASEAN Association has already planned to organize other meetings in the first half of 2020, in Bologna and Turin, with the aim of strengthening the awareness of the Italian entrepreneurial community regarding the opportunities offered by South-East Asia.

The Italy-ASEAN Association has already planned to organize similar meetings in the first half of 2020, in Bologna and Turin, with the aim of strengthening the awareness of the Italian entrepreneurial community regarding the opportunities offered by South-East Asia.

0 Share
Redazione published in Asean

Inauguration of the Milan Office of the Italy-ASEAN Association

L’Associazione Italia-ASEAN è lieta di annunciare l’apertura di una nuova sede, a Milano, in Corso Buenos Aires 56. L’inaugurazione si è tenuta il 18 luglio 2019, con la partecipazione – tra gli altri – del Presidente dell’Associazione Italia-ASEAN Enrico Letta, del Sindaco di Milano Giuseppe Sala, del Presidente della Regione Lombardia Attilio Fontana, dell’Assessore Regionale all’Ambiente e Clima Raffaele Cattaneo, dell’Assessore…

0 Share