Key figures met to discuss the Mattei Plan’s impact on heavy industry and international cooperation. Italy’s collaborative approach aims to address labour shortages, migration issues, and foster sustainable development in Africa and beyond
The Italian vision. The MedOr Day 2024 event in Rome highlighted Italy’s strategic initiatives under the Mattei Plan, focusing on heavy industry and international cooperation. Key figures from Italy’s political and industrial sectors provided insights into the plan’s objectives and progress.
- Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO of Fincantieri, emphasised the Mattei Plan’s potential to revolutionise heavy industry by addressing the labour shortage in Africa. He detailed initiatives such as creating welding schools in North Africa to develop local expertise.
- Roberto Cingolani, CEO of Leonardo, expressed a strong commitment to advancing the Mattei Plan, highlighting Italy’s non-colonialist, constructive approach to international cooperation.
- “In Africa, Italy is seen as a welcomed, rather than invasive, partner. For Italy, the second largest European manufacturer and centred in the Mediterranean, it would have been impossible not to play a leading role. We are ideally positioned to work with an enormous continent that needs help and where there is a huge need for digitalisation,” Cingolani stated.
Unified pathways. Alfredo Mantovano, Undersecretary to the Presidency, also provided an in-depth perspective on the Mattei Plan, highlighting its method and objectives.
- “The Mattei Plan is first and foremost a method, an equal approach between Italy and the African regions with which it is currently possible to have a dialogue,” Mantovano said. He emphasised that the plan is a collaborative effort, not imposed by Rome or Brussels, but developed together with partner nations.
- Mantovano also discussed the plan’s impact on migration issues and local development. He highlighted Italy’s pioneering move to launch a three-year entry flow with flexibility for qualified training in the migrants’ countries of origin.
- He also touched upon the migrant centres in Albania, detailing progress and challenges.
- “The one by the sea is already ready and will be used for initial screenings, while the one further inland has encountered problems during construction,” Mantovano explained. “We want to complete the work properly, and the initiative will be fully operational in a few weeks,” he assured.
Overall… The MedOr Day 2024 event showcased Italy’s commitment to leveraging its geopolitical position in the Mediterranean to foster sustainable development and international cooperation, aligning with the broader goals of the Mattei Plan.
