Milan hosted the event "Italy Meets Hainan: Unlocking Trade & Investment Privileges"promoted by Italy China Council Foundation (ICCF) with the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Milanwith the aim of exploring the opportunities for economic cooperation and investment offered by the Free Trade Port of Hainana strategic project of the Chinese government as part of the country's international opening policy.
The meeting, held on Friday 19 December in Clerici Palacebrought together high-level institutional representatives, business organisations and companies interested in exploring the potential of the Free Port of Hainan as an advanced platform for international trade, supply chain reorganisation and foreign investment attraction.
The proceedings opened with the institutional greetings by Mario Boselli,, President of ICCF, of the Consul General of the PRC in Milan Liu Kan and of Bateer, Deputy Executive Governor of Hainan Province. The speeches highlighted the strategic role of the Free Trade Port as a tool to strengthen economic relations between Italy and China, fostering a more competitive and open environment for international companies.
"The expansion of China's openness, through the development of the free port of Hainan, will undoubtedly open up new opportunities for foreign investment in the Chinese market and for Chinese companies interested in expanding globally," he declared Liu Kan, Consul General of the People's Republic of China in Milan. "This initiative will give new impetus to economic globalisation and create opportunities for mutual benefit for countries cooperating with China.
"My recent trip to Hainan and Vice Governor Bateer's visit to Milan confirmed how this province is a strategic hub for innovation, trade and investment - and I am delighted to have been able to do so. explained Mario Boselli, President Italy China Council Foundation -. Italian companies can find concrete opportunities here in the most dynamic sectors of the local economy and consider Hainan as a gateway to China and South-East Asia'.
During the event, Sara Berloto, Head of the ICCF Study Centre, outlined the main transformations taking place in global value chains and the implications for economic relations between Italy and China, emphasising the importance of new logistics and production hubs capable of supporting the evolution of trade.
A highlight of the proceedings was the keynote speech by Tang Hua, Director General of theHainan International Economic Development Bureau (IEDB)which presented the regulatory framework of the Free Trade Port, the start of customs operations and the tax incentives and concessions for foreign investorswith particular reference to high value-added sectors. This was followed by the intervention of Hu ShuguangExecutive Chairman of theAssociation of Business Italy-Hainanwhich outlined activities to support companies interested in developing investment projects and industrial cooperation in Hainan Province.
The session concluded with the presentation of a business case by Alessio StefaniHead of GRD EU & International Projects & Geo-Expansion Coordination of Chiesi Farmaceutici SpAwho shared the group's experience and prospects for international expansion in the context of the Chinese market.
The initiative confirmed the growing interest of the Italian business system in the Free Trade Port of Hainan as strategic hub for access to the Chinese and Asian marketsstrengthening the dialogue between institutions and businesses on bilateral economic cooperation issues.
