中意设计交流中心项目起源于“上海设计”走出去战略。2012年11月，联合国教科文组织“创意城市”（上海）推进工作办公室与佛罗伦萨市政府签署协议，启动中意设计交流中心项目建设。2014年3月，中意设计交流中心佛罗伦萨基地开园运营，德必集团是受中意政府委托，负责运营该项目的唯一中方执行机构。
Sino Italian Design Exchange Center is originated from the “Going Out” Strategy by “Shanghai Design”. On Nov 2012, the protocol of promoting Shanghai & Florence – Sino Italian Design Exchange Center was signed by Florence Municipal Government and UNESCO Creative City (Shanghai) Promotion Office, which officially initiated the construction of the project. In March 2014, with the establishment of Sino Italian Design Exchange Center, DoBe Group was entrusted by both Chinese and Italian governments to operate the project.
中意设计交流中心运营以来，以佛罗伦萨基地为桥头堡，为上海和佛罗伦萨，以及中意两国政府、机构和企业架起了文化交流与产业合作的桥梁。中意设计交流中心以政府为引导、市场为主体，通过提供基地入驻、产业交流、海外教育、商务对接等服务，通过5年来近100场不同领域、不同类型，丰富多样的文化创意类活动和项目的开展，“引进来”和“走出去”相结合，促进了中意创意设计领域的深度交流合作，构建起多层次、宽领域的合作关系。凭借其卓越定位与贡献，荣登意中商会最佳投资机构名单。
Sino Italian Design Exchange Center has built up bridges between Shanghai and Florence, Sino-Italian governments, organizations and enterprises for cultural sharing and further cooperation. On the basis of governmental guide and marketing needs, the project has successfully reached connection and cooperation in the field of Sino-Italian design by providing variety services and launching nearly 100 cultural and creative events. With combination of “Bringing In” and “Going Out” strategy, Sino-Italian Design Exchange Centre has been nominated as the Best Investment Organization by China-Italy Chamber of Commerce.
庆典期间，还将举行“上海-时代工匠”主题展览、中意企业对接交流会、上海大世界、中意设计交流中心与佛罗伦萨市政府合作签约仪式、“设想家iDreamer”全球设计大赛创新论坛、意大利及丹麦创意设计产业考察等活动。
During the anniversary celebration, Sino Italian Design Exchange Center will hold different events including “Shanghai-Artisan” Exhibition, Sino Italian Exchange Conference, Shanghai Great World, Signing Ceremony between Sino Italian Design Exchange Center and Florence Municipal Government, Innovation Forum of iDreamer International Design Competition, Investigation of Italian and Danish Creative and Design Industry, etc.