December 22nd, 2015 – In 2014, the Region’s index of internationalization showed a positive trend, with an overall increase of 4% over the previous year, according to the analysis of Unioncamere Piemonte, which summarized in a single internationalization index the many elements that measure the level of internationalization of the region. The goal was to verify the evolution of said criteria over time and hold a sound comparison with other territorial references. The overall increase is the result of the excellent performance exhibited by the economic internationalization index, which increased by 5%, and by the more modest growth of the social component (+1%). “Piedmont once again confirms its vocation for internationalization, showing an opening to foreign countries higher than other Italian regions. Despite the economic difficulties of recent years, our region increased its ability to attract both human and economic capital, registering an increase in foreign direct investment levels and in the presence of foreign students in its four universities. The internationalization policies put in place by regional actors and the Chamber system in recent years continue to bear fruit for the benefit of businesses and the territory as a whole – says Ferruccio Dardanello, president of Unioncamere Piemonte – Piedmont is also the locomotive of Italy in terms of exports, which grew by 8.7% in the first nine months of 2015, reflecting the competitiveness of production in foreign markets and the need to continue to enhance our productions with ad hoc measures”. In the first nine months of 2015, the value of Piedmont exports reached €34.2 billion, for an increase of 8.7% over the same period of 2014, and more than double the national performance (+ 4.2%). Evaluating individual quarterly changes, we note that the 5.5% growth in January-March 2015 was followed by an intense increase in the second and third quarter of 2015, amounted respectively to 13.6% and +6.9%. Among the largest exporting regions, Piedmont is the one with the best performance: the value of exports of Lombardy increased by 2.1%, while Veneto registered a 5.8% increase, and Emilia Romagna saw its foreign sales increase by 3.9%. Finally, Piedmont exports represent today 11.1% of the national share. (Red)
