Interview with Mrs. Annalisa Sassi, President, Confindustria Emilia-Romagna

11 Nov Interview with Mrs. Annalisa Sassi, President, Confindustria Emilia-Romagna

How would you describe the current economic momentum of Emilia-Romagna and its potential and which sectors are emerging as key drivers of growth and international competitiveness today?

Emilia-Romagna is one of Italy’s most important regions, contributing 9% of national GDP and hosting 8% of Italian enterprises — 9% of which are manufacturers. This region is the heart of Italian manufacturing, with particularly strong expertise in mechanics, automotive, packaging, ceramics, pharmaceuticals, biomedical, textiles and agri-food — boasting the highest number of protected designation of origin and protected geographical indicator products in the country. Our strength lies in the close collaboration between industry, universities and research centers.

This ecosystem fosters knowledge exchange, innovation and high specialization across different sectors. We invest heavily in education and skills, working closely with institutions to align training with industry needs — from early education to postgraduate studies. Today, we are also focusing on emerging industries like aerospace, building on our expertise in mechanics and electromechanics.

At the same time, we support the digital transformation of our companies, with initiatives like Bologna’s big data hub and supercomputing center, Cineca. Our goal is to stay at the forefront of innovation and ensure Emilia-Romagna remains a competitive, productive and future-ready region. We continuously invest in research and innovation. Emilia-Romagna hosts three major data centers: Cineca, a meteorological center and the ENEA labs for nuclear research, renewable energy and the circular economy — showing our commitment to sustainability.

We actively support companies investing in renewable energy and advanced technologies. One unique aspect of our region is the diversity of industries — from advanced sectors like energy and mechanics to fashion and textiles, with leading names like Max Mara. Emilia-Romagna is Italy’s top region for exports because our companies work daily with the world’s most dynamic markets. This global outlook is part of our DNA. Emilia-Romagna has always been a positive, open-minded and inclusive region. Our economy is rooted in a strong sense of community, where companies are seen as places for people to express creativity, share knowledge and help the community grow.

It has been an honor to lead Confindustria Emilia-Romagna and support this rich industrial landscape. Our role is to guide companies toward shared goals, foster dialogue between businesses and workers and strengthen ties with universities to help young people enter the workforce. Together with the regional government, we have also introduced a Talent Law to help young talent thrive and keep our region’s knowledge and innovation levels high.

As the second woman to lead Confindustria Emilia-Romagna, you bring both continuity and a fresh perspective to the role. In what ways is the organization evolving to better serve SMEs and family-owned enterprises?

Confindustria has always valued people and skills, encouraging both men and women to contribute. I am proud to be the second woman to hold this role and today many women hold leadership positions across Confindustria. In Emilia-Romagna, companies are deeply rooted in the community — they are places where people express their talent, creativity and humanity, helping to create value and well-being for everyone. This strong link between business and society is part of our culture and success.

Confindustria acts as a bridge, guiding companies toward sustainable growth, ESG goals and technological advancement, including AI. As a woman, I hope to bring my perspective to this work and help ensure it creates real value for our community.

How can the US help develop these sectors and where are the best investment opportunities for partnerships?

The US is a great nation with dynamic people, companies and markets. It is one of our main destinations for exports and partnerships and many of our companies work closely with American businesses. We share a similar mindset, which makes collaboration open, clear and effective across all US regions. Emilia-Romagna is a dynamic region and we value having equally dynamic partners like those in the US.

Philip Morris is a great example of a successful greenfield investment here, supported by the region. Many US companies operate in Emilia-Romagna and we have strong cases of direct American investment. At the same time, more Italian companies are now investing in the US — an effort we have supported in recent years together with the American Consulate. We believe this exchange benefits both economies and communities and creates valuable opportunities for growth on both sides.

In light of climate targets and EU green transition objectives, industries across the region are undergoing significant transformation. What tools and incentives are being put in place to support industrial decarbonization and energy transition?

For over a decade, Emilia-Romagna has invested in renewable energy and circular economy programs. Many of our companies have already made strong progress and today our manufacturing sector has impressively low emissions — a major achievement for such an industrial region. Italian ceramics, for example, have reached outstanding levels of sustainability, setting an example for other industries. This commitment shows how seriously our companies take their environmental responsibilities.

What is your final message to the readers of USA Today?

Emilia-Romagna is a dynamic, positive and open-minded region. We put manufacturing and companies at the center, with a strong focus on innovation, digitalization and sustainability. Quality of life and healthcare are excellent and it is a safe and inclusive region. We invest daily in high-quality education and skills at every level, knowing this is key to our stability and growth. Our institutions work to ensure inclusivity, equal opportunities and strong support for working women — though we know there is always more to do. Innovation and sustainability are our pillars. They will shape our region’s future and position us as a leader in Italy and beyond.