The Italy China Foundation is the only platform in Italy and is one of the leading ones in Europe to include among its members Italian and Chinese companies and institutional bodies, with the aim of facilitating collaboration and bilateral relations between the two countries and developing new business opportunities.
With over fifty years of history and a network that counts over 300 members and partners, the Foundation offers businesses targeted services of assistance, information, analysis and training, with particular focus on internationalisation processes along the Italy-China and EU-China axes.
A bridge built over time
The roots of the Foundation date back to 1970, the year in which diplomatic relations between Italy and the People's Republic of China began and in which the Italy China Chamber of Commerce – the first Italian institution dedicated to commercial trade between the two countries.
Nell 2003, at the initiative of Cesare Romiti, born the Italy China Foundation for the promotion of political, economic, commercial, scientific and cultural exchanges between the two countries, building an ecosystem of relations that includes Italian companies active in the Chinese market, Chinese multinationals investing in Italy, institutional bodies and sector associations.
In June 2022, the China-Italy Chamber of Commerce and the Italy China Foundation integrated into a single entity, unifying expertise, networks and experience to respond more effectively to the challenges and opportunities of Italy-China cooperation in the contemporary context. From this integration comes a unique organisation on the Italian scene: an entity capable of operating comprehensively within bilateral dialogue and interpreting its evolution with continuity and vision.
The Foundation today
Italy-China Foundation is the only organisation in Italy to directly integrate Italian and Chinese entities both in its governance and in its membership base: approximately the 70% of the members is Italian parent company, the remainder 30% (Chinese)A composition that is not merely a formal characteristic, but the foundation of its ability to act as an authentic interface between the two country systems.
This identity is reflected at all levels: the Foundation is now led by a Italian President and a Chinese Vice-President, featuring a Board of Directors that integrates figures of both nationalities, offices in Italy and China, and a team of Italian and Chinese professionals – who operate and communicate in both languages – capable of guaranteeing qualified and timely responses to the needs of the members.
However, the Foundation's outreach is not limited to the bilateral relationship: its role also extends to European dimension, where it acts as an active subject in the wider dialogue between the EU and China. Is implementing partner of theEU SME Centre, the European project supporting small and medium-sized enterprises operating or intending to operate in the Chinese market, and Vice-President of theEU-China Business Association (EUCBA), the organisation dedicated to the promotion of foreign direct investment and trade between China and the European Union.
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