On July 27, Gianni Di Giovanni, Chairman of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in China (CCIC), took part remotely in the signing ceremony of the Framework Agreement (Accordo Quadro) between the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) and Unioncamere, held at the Farnesina in Rome. The agreement aims to strengthen cooperation between MAECI and the Italian Chamber of Commerce system in support of the internationalization of Italian businesses.
The agreement recognizes Unioncamere as one of the key actors of the Sistema Italia for export growth and seeks to involve an increasing number of Italian companies in initiatives that support their entry into and expansion across international markets. It builds on the extensive territorial network of Italy's Chambers of Commerce and the global network of the Italian Chambers of Commerce Abroad (CCIEs).
Under the agreement, Unioncamere will provide its expertise on Italy's productive sectors and the export potential of local territories, while MAECI will involve the Chamber system in institutional and economic missions, as well as in international promotion programs.
Contents of the Agreement
The Italian Chamber of Commerce system comprises 60 territorial Chambers of Commerce, representing more than 5 million companies registered in the national Business Register.
In 2026, the Italian Business Register celebrates its 30th anniversary and is recognized as the country's most important legally recognized database of Italian companies.
The Framework Agreement aims to strengthen cooperation between MAECI and the Chamber system to support the internationalization of Italian businesses by increasing the number of exporting companies and fostering the development and consolidation of their presence in foreign markets. The agreement also formally recognizes Unioncamere as a strategic partner within the Sistema Italia for internationalization, reinforcing its role in implementing MAECI's export promotion initiatives.
As the representative and coordinating body of the Italian Chamber system, Unioncamere serves as a key link with the national business community. In the field of internationalization, it operates through Promos Italia, as well as other specialized agencies and organizations connected to the Italian Chambers of Commerce. In coordination with Assocamerestero and its global network of Italian Chambers of Commerce Abroad, Unioncamere supports businesses throughout the entire export process—from initial preparation and market entry to long-term presence in international markets.
The agreement establishes a stable framework for cooperation between the two parties across the main areas supporting business internationalization. Specifically, Unioncamere will provide MAECI with insights into Italy's production system and regional export potential, promote international business opportunities among Italian companies, and coordinate the internationalization activities carried out by the Chamber system, including through Promos Italia and the network of Italian Chambers of Commerce Abroad.
For its part, MAECI will make its internationalization tools and programs available to the Chamber system and involve Unioncamere in institutional and economic missions, as well as in initiatives designed to support Italian businesses abroad.
In addition to Unioncamere Secretary General Giuseppe Tripoli, the signing ceremony was attended by Mario Pozza, President of Assocamerestero, representatives of ICE, SIMEST, SACE, and CDP, as well as representatives of Italian Chambers of Commerce in Italy and abroad, who joined remotely.
