Obiettivo Italia 2026 - Geopolitics and global markets: how to navigate the landscape? Seventh event in Bologna

In its seventh event, Focus on Italy brought together the region’s leading businesses and economic organisations in Bologna to foster a discussion on the role of strategic infrastructure in the development of Southern Italy and the country’s competitiveness.

Emilia-Romagna stands out as one of the most dynamic regions in the country, boasting a broad and competitive manufacturing base with well-established specialisations across various sectors: from metalworking to agri-food, from automotive to fashion, alongside the growth of high-potential sectors such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and electronics.

Here, the Central-Northern Region of Intesa Sanpaolo’s IMI CIB Division, which covers six regions through the Corporate Centres in Ancona, Florence and Bologna-Parma, serves around 1,600 clients, representing over 320 groups, with average cash loans totalling nearly 5.5 billion euros by the end of 2025.

As Michele Sorrentino, Head of the Italian Network at Intesa Sanpaolo’s IMI CIB Division, commented: “In an environment characterised by increasingly rapid change, the competitiveness of businesses depends on their ability to innovate, seize the opportunities offered by new technologies and effectively manage risks, ranging from geopolitical to operational and cyber risks.”

Indeed, in a geopolitical context marked by a new energy crisis, Emilia-Romagna can nevertheless rely on a solid economic system, as evidenced by the trend in foreign trade: exports accelerated in the April–June period, growing by 6.7 per cent year-on-year.

Against this backdrop, Intesa Sanpaolo positions itself as a financial and strategic partner, supporting businesses and institutions in accessing capital and expertise to strengthen the competitiveness of the region and the country.

‘Obiettivo Italia’ is the national series of meetings organised by Intesa Sanpaolo’s IMI Corporate & Investment Banking Division, dedicated to discussing with businesses the key drivers of transformation, including international scenarios, risk management and innovation.
‘Obiettivo Italia’ continues its journey towards its final stop in Rome.