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“Italy in 10 Selfies”. 11th Edition of the Report curated by the Symbola Foundation

Italy in 10 selfies

The presentation of the report “Italy in 10 Selfies” took place at the MAECI on 13 January 2025, organized in collaboration with the Symbola Foundation, which edits it with Assocamerestero. Now in its 11th edition, the report illustrates ten Italian records in key sectors, which underline the uniqueness of the Italian model based on quality, sustainability and ties with the territories.

The presentation was opened by the speech of the Deputy Prime Minister and Hon. Minister Tajani, who underlined the value of exports as a lever for development and growth for the entire Italian economy and the strategic role of “growth diplomacy” to enhance the promotion of Made in Italy excellence in the world. Excellence well photographed by the report edited by the Symbola Foundation which – among others – highlighted some little-known records in innovative sectors, such as sustainable steel, waste recycling and pharmaceuticals, together with the importance of overcoming a narrative of Made in Italy limited to traditional strengths.

The Hon. Minister also illustrated the program of initiatives that is intended to be implemented in 2025 to strengthen the support action to support the internationalization of Italian companies, divided into business missions and economic partnership events to be carried out with particular attention to emerging markets, with participation in the Osaka Universal Expo, with the Conference for the reconstruction of Ukraine scheduled for next July, with the celebrations of the 2500th anniversary of the foundation of the city of Naples. The goal is to consolidate Italy’s global role in the foreign trade sector, aiming to reach 700 billion euros in exports by the end of the legislature.

During the presentation of the report, by the President of the Symbola Foundation, Ermete Realacci, the following 10 records were illustrated:

1. Circular economy: Italy is a leader in Europe with a recycling rate of 91.6%, significantly higher than the EU average (57.9%). Thanks to this efficiency, the country avoids the equivalent of 55 million tons of CO2 every year;

2. Renewables: Enel Green Power is the world’s largest operator in the renewable energy sector among listed utilities, with 63.3 GW of installed capacity;

3. Green steel: Italy is first among the G7 countries for the production of electric furnace steel (86%) and for energy efficiency and is home to the first “Net Zero Emission” certified steel mill;

4. Sustainable agriculture: Leader in Europe for the number of organic farms (82,627) and DOP/IGP products, with significant reductions in agricultural emissions;

5. Rides and amusement parks: Italy is the world’s largest exporter, with internationally recognized quality, efficiency and safety;

6. Furniture: Third in the world for trade balance in furniture and leader in Europe for the production of 100% recycled panels;

7. Congress tourism: Italy is second in the world and first in Europe for the number of congresses hosted (553 in 2023), with cities like Rome and Milan as protagonists;

8. Pasta production: Global leader, with 3.67 million tons produced and 60% exported;

9. Pharmaceuticals: Record growth in exports (13.6 billion dollars between 2021 and 2023), second in Europe for patents and scientific publications in the sector.

10. UNESCO heritage and design: With 60 UNESCO sites, Italy is first in the world.

The report is available in the attachment.