__________________________________________________ Dr. Manuela Bigi – Toscana Promozione

1. Local Development and Small Enterprises: Business Growth through Economic Cooperation between Sibenik-knin and Tuscany Tuscany: quality, tradition and innovation __________________________________________________ Dr. Manuela Bigi – Toscana Promozione

2. Tuscany: many good reasons! • 22.993 km2 of surface • 633 km of coast stretching along the Tyrrhenian Sea • 191 km of beaches • 67% hills • 25% mountains • 8% flatland

3. Population • 3,6 million of people • 51,8% women

4. Artistic heritage • 479 museums • 198 theaters • 5000 historic dwellings • 300 archaeological sites • 953 libraries • 4000 castels and fourtresses • 800 historic gardens

5. Love for the environment • 33 regional reserves • 3 regional parks • 3 national parks • 35 State reserves • 25 protected areas • 4 protected areas along rivers and lakes

6. Tourism and receptivity • 10 million visitors • 38 million tourists • 7000 accomodation facilities • 400 beds • 25 spas • 650 hotels in natural spas

7. Treasures of the land • Oil • Wine • Mushrooms • Chestnuts • Salamis • Cheese

8. Underground • Marble • Alabaster • Iron • Pyrite • Mercury • Copper • Soffiones • …..

9. The economic structure and sectors • 387.000 industrial SMEs • 61 billion Euro (40% of tuscan GDP) • Textiles and clothing • Leather goods and footwear • Gold-work and jewelry • Marble and tiles • Furniture • Crafts: ceramics, porcelain, glass, crystal

10. Pharmaceuticals and biotechnology Chemicals Electrical appliances, electric and electronic components Robotics Telecommunications and information technology Automotive components and mechanical equipment The economic structure and sectors

11. Positive Business climate Great sectorial diversification Clusters and networkink of SMEs Export abilities Infrastructures Good quality of life Political stability Tuscan Brand Promotion Tuscany: tradition, innovation and quality

12. The culture of doing, the beauty of experiencing Toscana Promozione

13. Toscana Promozione was set up in 2002 by initiative of: Regional Government of Tuscany Union of Chambers of Commerce of Tuscany Italian Ministry of Industry Italian Trade Commission Italian State Tourist Board The mission

14. Regional Public body, acting as “special Agency” supporting Tuscan SMEs and the territory: Efficiency Speed Professional skills Local and international networking The mission

15. The actions of Toscana Promozione • Direct promotional actions: Toscana Promozione plans, organizes and coordinates the participation of Tuscan companies in the most important national and international trade fairs and events which optimize the “Tuscan Brand”. • The promotion activities are directed to promote the “Tuscan economic system”, with particular reference to SMEs: industry, craft, agribusiness and tourism

16. The actions of Toscana Promozione • Management of European and regional funds in the field of internationalisation and promotion of foreign trade • International Economic cooperation. The Agency organizes economic missions, workshops, and meetings with foreign delegations representing institutions and businesses, in order to develop partner-matching for those companies which plan to invest in developing Countries and transition economies. It acts as supporter for the internationalisation of SMEs and of Tuscan industrial district. It offer technical assistance and training for foreign economic bodies and local administrations.

17. The actions of Toscana Promozione • Attraction of foreign investments. Promoting the attraction of innovative and quality investments in the Region and the Tuscan Offer on the main international markets (Europe, Usa, Canada, China). It develops a service of assistance and first guidance for all foreign companies which would like to settle in Tuscany and for Italian companies abroad. • Organizes and manage the opening of Tuscan Offices abroad in order to directly support businesses in those countries – At the moment New York e Shanghai.

18. Toscana Promozione host the Regional Desk for the internationalisation of business, the one-stop-shop SPRINT TOSCANA SPRINT was set up by an agreement of Italian Minister of Foreign Trade, Tuscany Region, the Italian credit export Agency (SACE), the Italian State Financial Institution (SIMEST) SPRINT support companies though qualified services in the field of foreign trade, credit, insurance, financial facilities, markets, tax laws etc. It operates through a network of offices located within Chambers of Commerce and Trade Associations. The actions of Toscana Promozione

19. total 156 total 262 100 total 268 total 298 80 60 92 92 40 80 78 72 71 67 66 65 60 55 54 48 43 20 30 11 0 2001 2002 2003 2004 Agrifood Industry Tourism Integrated promotion Some data! 2001-2004 From 2003 to 2004: + 14%

20. Some data! 2004: 7.500 economic operators supported • 4.400 smallcompanies involved in promotion activities • 3.100 small companies supported by internationalisation services of Sprint (training and consulting serviced) From 2003 to 2004 : + 34%

21. 2004:how companies contacted Toscana Promozione (*) Other: personal contacts, local administrations etc.

22. Networking with Foreign Local Development Agencies Toscana Promozione’s Offices abroad Italian Embassy Italian Foreign Trade Office (ICE) National Tourist Board (ENIT) International network

23. … SHANGHAI (13 NOVEMBRE 2004)… NEW YORK (29 MARZO 2004)… … E PRESTO MOSCA E FRANCOFORTE

24. How to keep in touch: Dr. Manuela Bigi The Economic Promotion Agency of Tuscany (APET) Villa Fabbricotti Via Vittorio Emanuele II 62-64 Florence – Italy Tel. 0039 055 462801 Fax 055 4628090 E-mail: m.bigi@toscanapromotzione.it www.toscanapromozione.it www.investintuscany.it www.sprintoscana.it TOSCANA PROMOZIONE