Rome, 2 July 2026 – Foreign-controlled companies are playing an increasingly important role in our country’s economic development: the its share of domestic turnover is set to rise from 17.8% in 2014 to 21% in 2023, equivalent to 887 billion euros, e the export figure rises from 27.4% to 35.8%. I’m almost 19.000 and generate direct added value amounting to 188 billion euros, employing 1.8 million people.

Although they account for 0.4% of active businesses – and therefore represent only a small proportion of the total – foreign firms carry far greater weight in the key indicators that define the country’s productive structure and competitive capacity. This is what emerged from the 2026 Annual Report of the Business Observatory Estere, entitled “From investment flows to industrial establishment. The contribution of foreign firms to Italy’s competitiveness”, realizzato da Osservatorio Imprese Estere con la collaborazione scientifica di Istat, ICE Agenzia, LIUC, Luiss Guido Carli, Scuola IMT Alti Studi Lucca, Centro Studi Assolombarda e, da quest’anno, con il contributo di Cassa Depositi e Prestiti.

The report was presented today in Rome, at Luiss University, on the occasion of the’Annual Meeting 2026 organised by the Confindustria Technical Group for Overseas Businesses, in collaboration with the Conference of Regions and Autonomous Provinces. An important opportunity for dialogue between institutions, businesses, the regions and the Confindustria network on the conditions needed to strengthen Italy’s ability to attract, support and consolidate high-quality foreign investment.

The analysis highlights the significant contribution made by foreign-owned companies to growth, innovation, exports, skilled employment and development: foreign companies are a driver of regional development; through supply chains, suppliers and production networks, they contribute to the growth of SMEs and the dissemination of skills and innovation. With exports of goods totalling 203 billion, they account for 35.8% of the country’s total export flows; even more significant is the’imports, amounting to 228 billion (49.7% of total imports by companies operating in Italy).

The report also shows that the contribution made by foreign firms is not confined to their immediate operations, but extends throughout national supply chains. With direct value added amounting to 188 billion euros, the total value associated with the supply chains stands at 398 billion, which is 2.1 times the direct value; on the In terms of employment, the 1.8 million people directly employed correspond to a total of 6.2 million people supported by the sector, which is 3.4 times the number of direct jobs. This knock-on effect on suppliers, SMEs, industrial clusters and local areas confirms that the deep-rooted presence of foreign companies is a key driver of growth and competitiveness for the country.

Their contribution to innovation and human capital is also significant. Foreign-controlled companies account for 38.3% of private research and development in Italy, with investments totalling 6.5 billion euros, and bring advanced skills, technologies and organisational models to the country, creating skilled jobs and helping to attract and retain highly specialised young talent.

The regional analysis also confirms the need to harness the as yet untapped potential of many areas of the country. The top five regions account for 76% of the value added generated by foreign-owned firms, with Lombardy accounting for 37.9% of the national value added from foreign-owned firms. The Report also shows that between 2017 and 2023, the share of employment accounted for by foreign firms increased in all regions: growth in their presence and concentration of value thus describe two dimensions of the same productive geography. Alongside those areas that already possess strong appeal, there are regions with significant potential for growth, where it would be beneficial to strengthen collaboration between the Government, the Regions and the business sector.

Against this backdrop, Confindustria is consolidating its role as a bridge between businesses, institutions and international investors, helping to make the Italian manufacturing sector more attractive, integrated and competitive.

"The report’s message is clear: growth also depends on supporting those who have already chosen Italy. Around three-quarters of the recent rise in employment comes from foreign companies already operating in the country: supporting their consolidation and reinvestment means generating new value, new jobs and related economic activity across Italian supply chains. This is why attracting new businesses and helping them put down roots must be two key elements of the same strategy”, he said Barbara Cimmino, Vice-President of Confindustria responsible for Exports and Investment Attraction.

"A strong focus on exports and international openness are the true hallmarks of our industry; this global outlook is confirmed by the Report presented today, which highlights how foreign companies are strategic partners for the country’s economic development and competitiveness. Their contribution goes beyond capital: they drive innovation, create value for national supply chains and unlock potential for local areas that remains partly untapped. This is a virtuous cycle, in a context where Europe and Italy must strengthen their industrial position in the face of pressure from major global markets, from Asia to the United States. Against this backdrop, Luiss reaffirms its commitment to training new leaders and entrepreneurs capable of guiding and growing our companies, both in Italy and on international markets” he said Giorgio Fossa, President of Luiss.