Healthy operating margins and strategic investments position Apulia as a competitive hub for innovation and sustainability.
A session from the cross-media event hosted by Andrea Cabrini, Editor in Chief of Class CNBC
Signs of robust growth and resilience are emerging for Apulia, which continues to stand out on the Italian scene, thanks to its healthy entrepreneurial system and growing operating margins. This was the context displayed during the two-day event organised by Milano Finanza and Class Editori, in cooperation with Puglia Orizzonti, Profondo Capital, Feedel Ventures and the collaboration of Setonix, at the Masseria Salamina in Fasano (province of Brindisi) during the “Motore Italia – Puglia Orizzonti” event, which on 7 and 8 November brought together experts and economic operators for an in-depth assessment of investment opportunities in the regional territory. The event has been co-financed by the European Union in accordance with the Operational Programme Puglia 2014-2020.
A growing system, showing a healthy and sustainable development
“We are looking at a growing system”, said the director of Leanus, Stefano Carrara, who presented an analysis based on around 2,000 Apulian companies with revenues over EUR 2 million, representing almost a third of the regional turnover. “Not only revenues have increased, but also operating margins, showing a healthy and sustainable growth”. Overall, the turnover of these companies amounts to €13.9 billion euros, with a 6.2% increase in investments from the previous year. Carrara pointed out that the majority of these companies have an overall positive risk assessment, with 15% of them classified as low-risk companies and around 300 companies that do not depend on bank loans.
“These companies manage to finance themselves and do not need to have recourse to bank loans”, explained Carrara, stressing an efficient management of working capital. The stress tests performed by Leanus show the resilience of the Apulian entrepreneurial system, which is capable of coping with a downturn in turnover of up to 22% while maintaining positive margins, and with an increase in payment times of 34 days without endangering its liquidity. On the macroeconomic front, Vito Peragine, Professor of Political Economy at the Aldo Moro University of Bari, confirmed the positive picture, stating that “in 2023, Apulia was one of the Italian regions with the best growth. Despite the slowdown of the national economy in the first six months of 2024, “Puglia continues to perform above the national average”. The tourism industry recorded a 15 per cent increase in foreign visitors in the first six months of 2024, while the expansion of the service industry contributes to strengthening the economic fabric of the region.
However, Peragine also pointed out some criticalities, such as the decrease in exports in the steel and automotive industries, mainly due to a decrease in the European demand, especially from Germany. Overall, Apulia seems ready to have sustainable growth in the medium-long term, confirming itself as one of the Italian regions with the greatest development potential. Carrara showed optimism: “I am absolutely optimistic. There will be difficulties, but Apulia seems strong and personally I would invest there without hesitation”.
Investments, the Region’s strategy
With an ecosystem combining economic development, innovation, and quality of life, Apulia is becoming increasingly attractive to both national and international investors. “We have created a system of incentives for all company sizes, from startups to large companies, promoting innovation and research.With our instruments and equity funds, we are converting the region into a place where investing is worthwhile and sustainable,” explains Gianna Elisa Berlingerio, director of the Economic Development Department. “We want Apulia to become the land of opportunities”, confirms the councillor in charge of Economic Development, Alessandro Delli Noci. “We have invested in training and digitalisation, and today many startups, including international ones, choose to grow here. We are working to create an environment that not only attracts talent, but also retains it, with programmes that support companies in the long term, such as TecnoNidi, which offers specific incentives for innovative startups, and Programme Contracts and PIAs (Integrated Incentive Programmes), which support small and medium enterprises in their growth path”.
In support of the strategic vision, Silvia Visciano, regional manager of Research and International Relations, underlines the importance of welfare: “Attracting capital is not sufficient. It is also necessary to guarantee people wellbeing. Apulia is at the forefront in this sector, offering support to families and services that make quality of life a decisive factor in the decision to invest and live in our region”.
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