"Energy, cybersecurity, aerospace-defence and climate change impactsare the four major themes on which we want to focus our reflection. Taking into account the context in which we are today, both at global and European level, with an EU that must change: cutting red tape - as envisaged in the Omnibus Package of the new European Commission - and focus on industrial policy'. Thus Giovanni Baroni, president of the Small Industry of Confindustria, anticipates in Il Sole 24 Ore the contents of the Annual Small Industry Forum kicks off in Florence on Fridaywhich will be concluded on Saturday morning by National President Emanuele Orsini.

"We have always been as Small forerunners on big issues - adds Baroni - which also emerged from the Assises organised under my chairmanship in June 2022 in Bari. Energy, when the problem of costs had not yet exploded, Artificial Intelligence, which we also addressed with the road show in the area that started two years ago, to give just a few examples'.

In a global context marked by conflicts and transformations, the president emphasised: 'Today, in this period of wars and great changes that are altering the world balance, security is a determining factor, in all its aspects. We are threatened, but we also have opportunities and space to grow".

Among the priorities also cybersecurity, defence and aerospace, sectors in which Italian SMEs can carve out a leading role. "Small and medium-sized Italian companies have to deal with these challenges. Today we are much more open and connected than in the past at an IT level, we have systems that communicate, we are at risk of hacker attacks. SMEs must equip themselves, it is a step forward that they must take. But while many are still lagging behind, just as many have entered new areas and are growing by double digits. This applies to cybersecurity, but also to defence and aerospace, I am thinking for example of the low-flying satellite sector'.

The land protection is another strategic axis for Small Industry. "We are moving forward on many projects. It is a collaboration that I inherited from previous presidencies, but which we have continued and strengthened. Today we see how the protection of the territory must see companies involved and protagonists, I am thinking of catastrophe policies. The environment, its protection, and sustainability are constraints, but they also represent new business spaces'.

On energy, Baroni has no doubts: 'High energy costs weigh on the competitiveness of our companies: a fact, not an accusation. But there is also the security aspect: we saw what happened recently in Spain. We had a blackout 20 years ago, from then to now we are more and more electrified. We have to lower the cost of energy, but also secure our supplies. Again, this is a risk, but at the same time more and more SMEs are working in the sector, perhaps in a supply chain with the big ones, as well as those investing in efficiency, reducing consumption but also emissions'.

To strengthen the competitiveness of enterprisesthe regulatory and industrial environment needs to be addressed. "We must create a more favourable environment for industry, both in Italy and in Europe, provide certainties, fixed points on which entrepreneurs can build their businesses. Then supporting forward-looking investmentsand all areas that are addressed in the forum look to the future. In addition, over-regulation stifles business and is a source of additional costs. Now it seems that Brussels wants to change course, but we need to move from words to deeds quickly, given the speed at which the global environment is changing'.

A look also at the health of Italian SMEs. "SMEs in recent years have strengthened, increased capitalisation, gone to foreign markets, invested in energy efficiency. It is a process that must continue and must be supported. Investment unfortunately sluggish, lack of confidence. It is necessary to also move forward with digitisation and Artificial IntelligenceIt is a fundamental element of productivity recovery for SMEs'.