The first module of the training course for diplomatic staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, promoted in the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding signed last December between Confindustria e MAECI.

A training course to support economic diplomacy

The initiative is part of the activities initiated by the’Internationalisation Area of Confindustriain collaboration with SFC - Confindustria Training Systems, with the aim of strengthen knowledge of Italian industrial dynamics by diplomatic officials and staff working at the foreign offices of the Farnesina.

The first module and the confrontation with diplomats

The first training module opened with the participation of the General Manager, Maurizo Tarquini, and with the greeting, in connection, of the Vice President for Export and Investment Attraction, Barbara Cimmino, to the diplomats involved. In his speech, the Director General emphasised the strategic value of the course in strengthening the relationship between business and economic diplomacy.

“This training course is a tool to bring business and economic diplomacy closer together. We work to strengthen the relationship between Confindustria e MAECI and the results can be seen: Italy continues to perform well on exports thanks to companies and joint action in the markets. Companies face regulatory challenges and competitive pressures every day, and a diplomatic network capable of rapidly interpreting their needs makes the Country System's action more effective. Making data and technical skills of the production system available to young diplomats serves to consolidate this bond and to support the Italian presence in a world that is constantly evolving,” stated the Director General of Confindustria.

Companies, supply chains and the country system: the value of collaboration

The strategic value of collaboration between institutions and the production system was also addressed by the Vice President, and recalled the need to address the transformations taking place in global markets in a shared manner:

“We are facing a profound reconfiguration of value chains, which requires new skills and an evolution of business culture. Facing this phase requires joint work between institutions and the production system: this is how to build a network capitalism capable of holding innovation, sustainability and human capital together. The collaboration between Farnesina e Confindustria goes in this direction, strengthening economic diplomacy and enabling companies to better compete in a complex global environment”.

The next modules: infrastructure and territories

The course will continue with a second module, dedicated to the infrastructure supply chain, scheduled for 24 February in Rome, at ANCE, which will involve the Associations of the infrastructure supply chain - ANCE, OICE, ANIE and ANIMA - and will be complemented by a company visit.

The third module, scheduled between April and May, will be dedicated to training activities and company visits at the Territorial Associations of the Confindustria system.

As a whole, the cycle of modules aims to provide diplomatic personnel with an in-depth understanding of the Italian industrial system, as an essential prerequisite for an effective international projection and for strengthening the Diplomatic Network's action in narrating, supporting and protecting Italian enterprises in the world.