(ANSAmed) - ROME, JANUARY 12 - If entrepreneurs want to emerge
from stagnation and save Italy from the abyss, they must adapt
to major changes. "A real entrepreneur is one who is not afraid
of change, but rather adapts to it and knows how to take risks".
This is according to Fausto Aquino, the new chair of Assafrica & Mediterraneo-Confindustria, who, at a time of great economic difficulty and forced changes for Italy, is calling on Italian companies to find the courage to invest in the Mediterranean area, where "hundreds of possibilities" exist.
Aquino, a Calabrian, has been involved in publishing, health and, recently, the footwear business. He has lengthy experience of associations, having first been the chair of the Cosenza Young Entrepreneurs, then as vice-president of the nationwide small industry association, through to his current role. The aims of his programme include making the role of the association more prominent. "This means raising our profile among entrepreneurs themselves," he tells ANSAmed. As Aquino never ties of saying, Africa, the Mediterranean and the Middle East are the future. He calls on his associates, among others, to invest first and foremost in the transformation sector. "In this great region there are a wealth of primary materials," he says. "These countries import everything. They need machinery". In other words, new ideas are needed. Indeed, Aquino's idea is to set up a medical assistance residence project in Tunisia and Libya. "People in North Africa need to look after the elderly too," he says. "The space, landscape, climate and workers are all in place". For the moment, the plan remains on paper.
Doing business in the Mediterranean also means being able to transport goods at reasonable costs and enjoying a network of high-level sea, rail and road transport. "We need to revive the intermodal transport system, ease road transport and revive the motorways of the sea," Aquino comments. Yet in the field of logistics, Italian ports continue to miss out in favour of sea terminals such as Enfidha (Tunisia), Koper (Slovenia, which has taken over from the Italian town of Monfalcone), Tangiers Med (Morocco) or Port Said (Egypt). These terminals move an average of 35 containers an hour compared to 22-23 in Gioia Tauro, a huge gap.
"A company needs a big country behind it," the Assafrica president continues. "For years, we have had this. But I think that the new agency for the internationalisation of Italian companies that will replace the Foreign Trade Commission can play an important role, as our embassies have done". With regard to the support that all Italian governments have given to major Italian companies for the sake of national interests, Aquino says that "there is no conflict with major companies. In fact, Italian SMEs benefit from the contracts of big businesses.
They survive thanks to allied industries". Another issue to be resolved once and for all is that of banks. "Easier credit access is needed for companies and individuals," Aquino believes. Without it, there can be no solution. "The ECB has refinanced the banks in the eurozone. What happened to that money?" he asks.
It is impossible not to mention the imminent liberalisations and the struggle against tax evasion currently being fought by the Italian government. "The political sphere must restore the rules that already exist and get rid of the pockets of privilege that have existed for years in this country". When asked about the Cortina d'Ampezzo operation, Aquino replies: "We don't just need one, we need a thousand". In other words, everyone must pay taxes. (ANSAmed).
This is according to Fausto Aquino, the new chair of Assafrica & Mediterraneo-Confindustria, who, at a time of great economic difficulty and forced changes for Italy, is calling on Italian companies to find the courage to invest in the Mediterranean area, where "hundreds of possibilities" exist.
Aquino, a Calabrian, has been involved in publishing, health and, recently, the footwear business. He has lengthy experience of associations, having first been the chair of the Cosenza Young Entrepreneurs, then as vice-president of the nationwide small industry association, through to his current role. The aims of his programme include making the role of the association more prominent. "This means raising our profile among entrepreneurs themselves," he tells ANSAmed. As Aquino never ties of saying, Africa, the Mediterranean and the Middle East are the future. He calls on his associates, among others, to invest first and foremost in the transformation sector. "In this great region there are a wealth of primary materials," he says. "These countries import everything. They need machinery". In other words, new ideas are needed. Indeed, Aquino's idea is to set up a medical assistance residence project in Tunisia and Libya. "People in North Africa need to look after the elderly too," he says. "The space, landscape, climate and workers are all in place". For the moment, the plan remains on paper.
Doing business in the Mediterranean also means being able to transport goods at reasonable costs and enjoying a network of high-level sea, rail and road transport. "We need to revive the intermodal transport system, ease road transport and revive the motorways of the sea," Aquino comments. Yet in the field of logistics, Italian ports continue to miss out in favour of sea terminals such as Enfidha (Tunisia), Koper (Slovenia, which has taken over from the Italian town of Monfalcone), Tangiers Med (Morocco) or Port Said (Egypt). These terminals move an average of 35 containers an hour compared to 22-23 in Gioia Tauro, a huge gap.
"A company needs a big country behind it," the Assafrica president continues. "For years, we have had this. But I think that the new agency for the internationalisation of Italian companies that will replace the Foreign Trade Commission can play an important role, as our embassies have done". With regard to the support that all Italian governments have given to major Italian companies for the sake of national interests, Aquino says that "there is no conflict with major companies. In fact, Italian SMEs benefit from the contracts of big businesses.
They survive thanks to allied industries". Another issue to be resolved once and for all is that of banks. "Easier credit access is needed for companies and individuals," Aquino believes. Without it, there can be no solution. "The ECB has refinanced the banks in the eurozone. What happened to that money?" he asks.
It is impossible not to mention the imminent liberalisations and the struggle against tax evasion currently being fought by the Italian government. "The political sphere must restore the rules that already exist and get rid of the pockets of privilege that have existed for years in this country". When asked about the Cortina d'Ampezzo operation, Aquino replies: "We don't just need one, we need a thousand". In other words, everyone must pay taxes. (ANSAmed).
