Rome, 13 November 2025 - A meeting of the 'Development of the Mezzogiorno' Technical Group of Confindustriachaired by Natale Mazzuca, Confindustria Vice President for Strategic Policies for the Development of Southern Italy, in the presence of the Undersecretary to the Prime Minister with responsibility for the South, Luigi Sbarra, and which was also attended by the regional and territorial associations of the Mezzogiorno.

The meeting represented a moment of in-depth and constructive discussion on the issues of the development of the South, and a shared vision of the South as a strategic macro-area emerged, not only for the entire country, but also for the growth of Europe, as a central junction of Euro-Mediterranean development prospects. This vision is fully in line with the spirit and objectives of the Mattei Plan, aimed at strengthening Italy's role as an economic, industrial and logistical bridge between Europe and Africa.

During the meeting, there was broad agreement between the Confindustria System and Undersecretary Sbarra on a number of key points:

1. the ZES model (Special Economic Zone), of which the approach based on the two levers - simplification of authorisations and incentives for productive investments - is confirmed, with the will to guarantee continuity and stability to the measures, also in the new organisational set-up of the Southern Department;
2. the SEZ strategywhich must remain primarily linked to the revitalisation and development of the Mezzogiorno, in a logic of integrated and sustainable growth and reduction of disparities.

In addition, Confindustria expressed concern about the provision contained in the Budget Manoeuvre on the issue of compensationThe prohibition on offsetting tax credits with debts for INPS social security contributions and INAIL insurance premiums, in addition to calling into question the principles of legal certainty, risks weakening the ZES tax credit measure, effectively depriving southern companies of liquidity, and undermining the construction of a stable and competitive ecosystem capable of attracting new investment.

On this point, Undersecretary Sbarra confirmed that the issue is being investigated within the government.

During the meeting, the need was also reiterated, already in this Budget Law, for a decontribution measure for large companies in the South, synergic with the ZES facilities and oriented to encourage employment increases related to new investments in the territories.

"With Undersecretary Sbarra, we shared the vision of the development of the Mezzogiorno, which must be recognised as a strategic lever for the growth of the entire country, also because of Italy's role as a natural platform in the Mediterranean - said the Vice-President of Confindustria, Natale Mazzuca - We expressed our full appreciation for the government's decision to ensure continuity of the ZES model. Together with the hoped-for decontribution measures for new hires in large enterprises, they represent essential tools to give substance to this vision of growth for the country. We were assured of the utmost attention to the critical issue related to the limitations on the use of tax credits facilitating".

"I thank Confindustria and Vice-President Natale Mazzuca - said the Undersecretary to the Prime Minister with responsibility for the South, Luigi Sbarra - for the invitation to attend the meeting of the Technical Group 'Development of the Mezzogiorno'. It was an opportunity for discussion, dialogue, and a moment of reflection on crucial issues for the development of the southern areas. The government confirms its commitment to strengthening growth in the South, and the resources provided for in the Budget Law are a clear confirmation of this, in addition to the effective, real and targeted measures and public policies that have already been put in place. By working together with Confindustria, businesses, and all the productive realities of southern Italy, we can build a solid and concrete path that not only stimulates economic growth, but also gives greater confidence to the production system, creating new opportunities and a positive impact on employment. Cooperation between institutions and the business world can achieve lasting results, to ensure a prosperous future for southern Italy and the entire country".

Confindustria therefore renews its commitment to constructive dialogue with the government to ensure that the South plays a central role in the country's industrial and infrastructure policies, in the conviction that the growth of the South is an essential condition for the growth of Italy.