Florence-Taicang High-Tech Zone CooperationTime：2025-01-14
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On January 14, 2025, the Taicang High-Tech Zone delegation visited the Sino-Italian Design Exchange Center team, managed by DoBe Group, and hosted the "Taicang High-Tech Zone and Florence Cooperation and Exchange Conference" at Palazzo Capponi. The event aimed to strengthen exchanges and cooperation between Taicang High-Tech Zone and Florence across various fields, serving as a bridge of trust and connectivity for enterprises from both sides, while advancing the implementation of specific projects through signing ceremonies.
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The conference was attended by Mao Yaping, Member of the Standing Committee of Taicang Municipal Party Committee and Secretary of the Party Working Committee of Taicang High-Tech Zone; Lu Lijing, Member of the Party Working Committee and Deputy Director of the Administrative Committee of Taicang High-Tech Zone; Duan Yueqiang, Director of the Management Office of the Sino-German (Taicang) SME Cooperation Demonstration Zone; and Shen Chaowei, Director of the Investment Promotion Bureau of Taicang High-Tech Zone. Italian attendees included Leonardo Cavini, President of the Florence Branch of the Italian Confederation of Small and Medium Enterprises (CONFAPI); Claudio Nobler, President of the Florence Branch of the Italian Union of Artisans and SMEs (UAI); Michele Taccetti, CEO of China 2000 srl and Founder of the Tuscany Chapter of the China-Italy Chamber of Commerce; as well as representatives of various Italian enterprises.
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In his welcoming remarks, Mr. Corrado Galli, CEO of the Sino-Italian Design Exchange Center, highlighted the center’s ongoing efforts in fostering exchanges and collaborations between Chinese and Italian enterprises. He emphasized that the center has established an efficient international bridge for businesses and expressed hope that this meeting would further deepen Sino-Italian cooperation and inject fresh momentum into the internationalization of SMEs.
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Mr. Lu Lijing introduced Taicang's development and policy advantages, emphasizing its role as a major innovation platform in the Yangtze River Delta region. He noted Taicang High-Tech Zone's active promotion of industrial transformation and upgrading, as well as its efforts to create an international innovation ecosystem. He expressed the hope that the conference would lead to partnerships with Italian enterprises in cultural creativity, advanced manufacturing, and technological innovation, paving the way for a mutually beneficial future.
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Leonardo Cavini, President of CONFAPI Florence, spoke on behalf of the association. Founded in 1947, CONFAPI represents over 116,000 member companies with more than 1 million employees in Italy. As a member of the National Council for Economics and Labour (CNEL), CONFAPI plays a key role in policy-making and international cooperation. Cavini highlighted the growing global competitiveness of Italian SMEs and expressed optimism about fostering deeper collaboration with Taicang High-Tech Zone, particularly in cultural creativity and innovation, to achieve mutually beneficial development.
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Mr. Claudio Nobler, President of UAI Firenze, introduced the background of the association. UAI - Unione Artigiani Italiani e delle Piccole e Medie Imprese founded in 1990, it is one of the most representative support organizations in Italy, covering many regions across the country with more than 150,000 member companies. Chairman Nobler said that Italy's craftsmanship and the flexibility of SMEs are valuable resources for international cooperation. He hopes to have in-depth exchanges with Taicang High-tech Zone in the fields of design, handicrafts and high-end manufacturing to enhance the global influence of "Made in Italy".
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Michele Taccetti, CEO of China 2000 srl and Founder of the Tuscany Chapter of the China-Italy Chamber of Commerce, highlighted China 2000’s role as a comprehensive consulting firm focused on Sino-Italian economic and cultural exchanges since its founding in 1998. With a family history of trade with China dating back to 1946, Taccetti underscored the deepening economic cooperation between China and Italy and expressed enthusiasm for exploring concrete opportunities for collaboration with Taicang High-Tech Zone in trade and cultural exchanges.
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In the presence of Mao Yaping, Member of the Standing Committee of Taicang Municipal Party Committee and Secretary of the Party Working Committee of Taicang High-Tech Zone, and Claudio Nobler, President of the Florence Branch of the Italian Union of Artisans and SMEs (UAI), along with other Italian business representatives, Lu Lijing, Member of the Party Working Committee and Deputy Director of the Administrative Committee of Taicang High-Tech Zone, signed a cooperation agreement with Leonardo Cavini, President of CONFAPI Florence.
Duan Yueqiang, Director of the Management Office of the Sino-German (Taicang) SME Cooperation Demonstration Zone, signed a cooperation agreement with Corrado Galli, CEO of the Sino-Italian Design Exchange Center. The signing of these agreements marks a significant step forward in SME collaboration and the implementation of international projects between Florence and Taicang.
The successful convening of this conference not only strengthened ties between Chinese and Italian enterprises but also served as a concrete step in implementing the 2024–2027 Action Plan for Strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership announced during Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's visit to China in 2024. By focusing on key areas such as cultural creativity, advanced manufacturing, and international trade, the event has opened new avenues for future cooperation between Taicang and Florence.