M3 S.r.l.
Umbria is a relatively small region with a surface area of 8,456 km2, a population of 855,900 and a work-force of 367,900. The population density is almost 98/km2, slightly more than half the national average of 195/km2.
A higher-than-average proportion of the population is elderly (life expectancy in Umbria is the highest in Italy), which means that there is a disproportionate relationship between the total population and the work-force. This also has a bearing on the overall welfare policy (health, social and work), and reduces the propensity to start businesses, innovate, and take risks.
ISTAT surveys place immigrants at 6.8% of the active work-force, which is much higher than the 4.5% national average. They represent a valuable resource, but may also face problems of social integration and inclusion.
The main industrial sectors are food, textiles, mechanical industry and the steel and chemical industries, accounting for nearly one third of regional economic activity. Services represent about two thirds. The top Umbrian industries in terms of employment are steel and metalworking, the agro-food sector, chemicals, textiles and manufacturing. The vast majority of businesses are micro-SMEs: almost 95% of all companies in Umbria have fewer than 10 employees (ISTAT).
The productive sector, especially industrial, shows structural weakness due both to the downsizing process of big industry and to the low degree of compensation for this phenomenon by the SMEs.
RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT IN THE REGION
During 2001-2004, the Umbrian economy saw a modest growth in average GPL (0.8%), which is above the national average of 0.6%. In 2005, however, ISTAT data show a sharp drop - of 9% - in agriculture value-added results.
In Umbria, Structural Funds for Objective 2 or Phasing-out areas have been allocated during the period 2000-2005. Today, high technology is a very small sector in Umbria: more than 70% of firms can be considered as having a very low potential for innovation (traditional), 20% with a potential for innovation and only 10% as innovative.
The main elements of the regional RTDI infrastructure are the three poles of excellence, specialised in new materials (the University of Perugia Engineering Department, ISRIM Research and Training Institute for Advanced Materials and Technologies, and CSM Centre for the Development of Materials); in agro-biotechnology (University of Perugia Agronomy Department and 3A Parco Agroalimentare); and the Research Centre for Biomass at the University of Perugia.
Concerning infrastructures 2 billion euro have already been invested in several sites ranging from railways to highways to the Sant'Egidio airport (Perugia), one of the key factors to regional development, in order to become part of the large flow of international traffic. The privatisation process in under way and the resources required to provide the airport with all the necessary facilities have already been allocated. It is hoped to reach a traffic level of up to 250 thousand passengers per year.
INCUBATOR FACILITIES IN THE REGION
As a result of such efforts, along with the presence of many SMEs, there are large domestic and international multinationals that have invested in the region. Nestlè and Thyssen Krupp, represent two of the most significant examples.
The following figures will give an idea of the region's ability to attract businesses and investments:
- in 1999 Perugia attracted foreign investment for an amount close to 4.5 million euro while by 2001 this figures rose to 125 million, while Italian investors put into the region about 69.5 million euro
- Terni in 1999 attracted 8 million euro from foreigners, while in 2001 it obtained 830 thousand euro from Italian investors.
The blending of the multinationals' working culture with the local conditions is achieved through a framework called the Development Agreement. Dealing with the decisive stages and the strategic choices, the agreements brings together institutions (at all levels), firms, banks and trade unions, all focused towards the common goals of industrial and regional development.
Advantages such as low tax rates and low cost of utilities are fundamental in attracting firms. At the same time there is a widespread commitment in helping SMEs, within the framework of Basilea 2 regulations, to acquire all the necessary tools for a prolonged and sustained growth.
Moreover it has to be registered the growing commitment of the banks towards the Umbria region. According to the Bank of Italy such commitment experienced an increase of 6.8% in 2002, for a figure close to 6.5 billion euro. This could be due to the growing concentration process within the banking sectors, with the large national groups coming into the Umbria region and incorporating the several scattered local banks.
(source: Centro Estero Camere di Commercio dell'Umbria; Umbria Innovazione; Washington Post; CENSIS)
MOST IMPORTANT SERVICES
- Global Growth Network Essential
- Euro Expo
- Visiting Services
- Business Advisor
- A Mentor For You
- Selling Across Borders
Access to capital
Helping enterpreneurs to find public and private investors and writing more effective proposals to foster his chances to get financial resources.
Access to research
To provide the entrepreneur who wish to start new collaboration for development and commercial exployment of products/innovative services with preferential access point to University and Research Centres.
Internationalization and networking
Helping the entrepreneur to find business partner interested to reach new markets for product and services, defining new collaboration methods
Community and improvement of skills
To develop entrepreneur's skills to improve his business management, through training courses , workshops, tailor-made support, peer review.
Business development and clustering
To speed up the firm growth, helping entrepreneur in defining strategies and business models coherent with company skills and markets, encouraging aggregation of firms with common interests.
LINKS TO MOST IMPORTANT SERVICES OF OUR REGION
www.regione.umbria.it
Official website of our region
www.sviluppumbria.it
Economic Development Organisation of the region
www.pg.camcom.it
Chamber of Commerce of your region