Ipsos survey, the economic collaboration with Corriere.it wins in the France-Italy derby
Despite the dialectic between Prime Ministers Giorgia Meloni and Emmanuel Macron, the collaboration between Italy and France is more alive and effective than ever and there are synergies between the economic and production systems of the two countries. This was stated by the president of the French Chamber of Commerce in Italy, Denis Delespaul, and certified by the study carried out by Cci France Italie with Ipsos. According to the survey among Italian and French top managers, 78% believe that the collaboration is positive, 94% confident for the future, with 82% expecting further improvement in the next 2-3 years. Furthermore, for 63% of the interviewees, the collaboration between Italian and French companies would lead to greater negotiating power compared to the European Union (63%), an increase in the financial solidity of the companies (43%), a competitive advantage (62% ) and favorable conditions for the growth of trade (55%) for both countries.
Confindustria-Medef
The survey was published just as the fifth edition of the Confindustria and Medef bilateral forum is taking place in Rome. The initiative aims to reaffirm the joint commitment of the Italian and French industrial associations on topics of crucial importance for the growth and competitiveness of businesses. The path traced by the Quirinale Treaty, with a comparison that aims to strengthen relations between Italy and France and to transmit common messages to national governments and EU institutions.
A permanent observatory
This - says Delespaul - is the first step towards the establishment of a permanent Observatory which measures, every year, the climate of Italian-French relations, not only in the economy but in all areas. The event saw the participation of Denis Delespaul, President of CCI France Italie and Nicola Neri, CEO of Ipsos and was an opportunity to announce the 2023 Edition of the Farnese d'or which will be held in Rome at Palazzo Farnese on 22 June. There is the perception that strengthening this collaboration can bring important benefits for both, also in relations with the European institutions, says Delespaul.
Going back to the survey, almost all of the interviewees argue that greater proximity would also bring important benefits for corporate social responsibility, a strategic area for the economy of the future, in particular: in promoting gender equality (44%), favoring the development of sustainable supply chains (42%), combating climate change (40%), guaranteeing fair and respectful relationships with commercial partners (suppliers, distributors, consultants: 40%).
Managers are asking for more collaboration
In this context, the exchange between Italian and French companies is already underway but can be improved over the next five years to add further value and guarantee a win-win effect for all stakeholders. The sectors in which there is already strong collaboration today are the fashion sector, the automotive sector, and commerce and large-scale distribution for which, however, margins for further development of cooperation can still be glimpsed. Then there are some sectors where collaboration is present but in a more limited way. For these, an impetus towards greater cooperation is hoped: transport and logistics (65% of the companies interviewed declare that even if they find a collaboration a further fundamental development), chemical/pharmaceutical (58%), mechanical-machinery (55%), food and agri-food (54%).
From Elena Goitini to Luca De Meo
Economic integration has come a long way. At the top of many French-based companies in Italy there are many Italian managers, underlines Delespaul who looks for example to Elena Goitini, managing director of BNL and head of Bnp Paribas for Italy. But also to cases such as the French Renault led by the CEO Luca De Meo, the first non-French to head the car manufacturer.
