A Zes 2.0 Strategic Plan to strengthen the Special Single Zone model. Confindustria and Intesa Sanpaolo have launched this new initiative, with the bank making an additional 60 billion euros available for the development of the Zes on a national scale. “The single Zes is proving that when bureaucracy and uncertainty are reduced, investments come: against 5.5 billion public funds, 59 billion investments and 71,000 new jobs have been generated. The purpose of the work that Confindustria carries out with Intesa Sanpaolo is to transform a simplification measure into a permanent lever of national competitiveness. This measure needs to be extended to the whole of Italy for the bureaucratic part: bureaucracy paralyzes the country, costing 80 billion euros a year. What matters to the North is having legal certainty and fixed times, continuing to push on tax relief measures and on what can help grow the South and overcome the gap,” said the president of Confindustria, Emanuele Orsini, in Bari, at the presentation of the project.
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“We are convinced of the effectiveness of the Zes as a strategic lever for the growth of the South and the country. The availability of 60 billion complements administrative simplification, a winning formula of this tool, also fundamental for companies in Northern Italy. Zes 2.0 is an extension of the previous one, we have believed in it since its inception with targeted actions and disbursements exceeding 12 billion. We decided to make 60 billion available given the demand and the possibility of national expansion. We are relaunching the Zes 2.0 project thanks to the consolidated relationship with Confindustria and the synergies with international entities that we can develop,” said the head of the Intesa Sanpaolo Territorial Bank Division, Stefano Barrese. The bank has already disbursed over 28 billion in the southern regions since 2020.
The initiative is dedicated to infrastructure and energy adaptation works, with a focus on attracting investments from Northern and foreign companies. A roadshow will also start in Italy and abroad to promote locations in the South, and a dedicated financing is planned for those who will invest within the Zes.
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For Orsini, the Zes alone is not enough. It is necessary to create the “enabling conditions” to invest in the country. The priority is energy, “a key issue.” It is good that the debate on nuclear power has resumed: “on the subject, sensitivity among young people has also increased, over 55% are in favor.” There are 1,500 renewable energy concessions to be implemented, he said. The energy mix is good, but, added the president of Confindustria, we will not be able to do without gas as a buffer to ensure energy continuity.
The Emission Trading System mechanism is crucial. In Europe, a reform is being decided today: “I asked for it to be suspended. That rule as it is will close the primary industrial productions of our country. We managed to convince the Germans and French, I believe that if the EU Commission does not take this into account it is a great short-sightedness. Benchmarks are needed that make us competitive,” Orsini said again. A national and European industrial plan with a three-year vision is needed, Orsini insisted, citing the example of hyper-depreciation.
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