Pnrr and reforms, GDP rebound and uncertainties, too much bureaucracy and little infrastructure, urgent investments and incentives. The centrality of human capital. The Calabrian industrialists take the stage and, in the Hall of Cultures of the Province of Catanzaro, propose a plan for a new development model for the region. On the occasion of the annual meeting of Unindustria, they talk about the future and restart in the presence of the president of Confindustria Carlo Bonomi, the general secretary of the CISL Luigi Sbarra and the governor of Calabria Mario Occhiuto, who has just taken office. The mayor of the city Sergio Abramo, who is also president of the Province, does the honors.
The role of Calabria in the recovery of the country
«The idea of my candidacy was born here, in Calabria. It was Rosario Branda – recalls Carlo Bonomi quoting the director of Confindustria Cosenza – who, during one of my many visits told me, whoever has this attention for Calabria, has the sensitivity to be president of Confindustria. I did not understand this subtlety then, but today I must give credit to Branda for his interpretation ». And he continues: “Calabria can play an important role in the recovery of the country, the historical moment can really mark a turning point if the reforms that Italy has been waiting for for 25 years are implemented”.
«Centoundici», a short film that animates the debate
Businesses have always been the engine of rebirth with the contribution of thousands of workers. And they still will be: the message comes clear to the audience from the vision of «Centoundici. Women and men for a grandiose dream », the short film conceived and promoted by Confindustria, full of ideas for the following discussion. The president of Unindustria Calabria has a proactive attitude: “Trust is an economic value par excellence, capable of guiding the best choices and perhaps the history of our region”, says Aldo Ferrara, underlining the urgency of increasing entrepreneurial density in Calabria and to focus on active labor policies. Even Natale Mazzuca, vice president of Confindustria with responsibility for the Economy of the Sea, president of the regional confederation of Calabrian industrialists until a year ago, looks with confidence to the future of the region: “The port of Gioia Tauro, in the center of the Mediterranean, and the Zes represent a great opportunity for the South, which translates into the development of all ports and logistics », he declares.
Occhiuto: “Bureaucracy deficits are worrying”
Roberto Occhiuto, in his debut in society as president of the Region, beats on institutional changes and resources: «The most important part of the NRP is not the funds but the reforms. What worries me most – he declares – is our delay in terms of administrative capacity, the deficits of our bureaucratic structures ». And he proposes a Pact for Calabria to Confindustria: “Help us develop a great investment attraction plan”.
Sbarra: “Taxation of advantage in the South”
An idea that Luigi Sbarra likes: “We take you at your word,” he says and sounds like a warning. The secretary goes on to state that “a new building must be built, the pandemic has accentuated the criticalities, weaknesses, delays, historical defects and the ballast that hinder reforms and economic growth. Here, as in the whole of the South, advantageous taxation is needed. And, in general, more dialogue, more participation, more responsibility. So that the announced digital, environmental, ecological, energy, industrial transition is also social ».