EIT Manufacturing South and the Lombardy Region join forces to boost companies’ competitiveness

Regione Lombardia‘s Councillor for Economic Development, Guido Guidesi, and Silvia Zancarli, Managing Director of EIT Manufacturing South, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support the competitiveness of Lombardy’s manufacturing enterprises. 

Strategic collaboration from a European perspective

The Lombardy Region (Regione Lombardia) is one of Italy’s 20 administrative regions, located in the northern part of the country. It is the most populous and one of the highest-income regions in Italy, with Milan (Milano) as its capital. 

Lombardy is Italy’s economic powerhouse, accounting for approximately 22% of Italy’s GDP. The region boasts approximately 800,000 enterprises, most of which are small and medium-sized (SMEs) focused on both traditional “Made in Italy” sectors, such as fashion and furniture, and high-tech areas, including biotech and robotics. 

In 2023, GDP growth was +1.2%, outpacing Italy’s national average of +0.9%, fuelled by a 4.4% rise in business investments. Employment increased, totalling over 100,000 new jobs, which helped drop unemployment to around 4%.

The manufacturing sector in Lombardy is thriving positively, and international collaboration in innovation is set to drive even greater growth.

Enhancing the competitiveness of Lombard manufacturing 

“This collaboration,” said Guidesi, “fits into a strategic framework designed to strengthen the regional innovation ecosystem further, accelerate the digital transition of the production system, and promote sustainable development across the territory. The Lombardy Region and EIT Manufacturing South share a common interest in developing system-wide initiatives that enhance the advanced manufacturing sector in Lombardy, leveraging expertise, infrastructure and relational networks on a European scale.” 

“In this context,” the Councillor continued, “the agreement signed also represents a key step towards achieving another crucial objective: supporting the capitalisation of our businesses, facilitating their access to credit, and encouraging new entrepreneurial initiatives. Through this agreement, we are providing Lombard manufacturing with an additional tool for innovation and growth.” 

A tangible opportunity for innovation and growth

“The collaboration between EIT Manufacturing South and the Lombardy Region,” highlighted Silvia Zancarli, “is a strategic move to support Lombardy’s businesses on their path toward European innovation and growth, to showcase local excellence, and to integrate skills, technologies and international opportunities. It is also a tangible opportunity to generate impact, build bridges between public and private stakeholders, and stimulate new entrepreneurship in the manufacturing sector.” 

The Memorandum of Understanding with Regione Lombardia

The Memorandum of Understanding between Regione Lombardia and EIT Manufacturing South will give Lombard companies to a pan-European network of more than 200 partners, including companies, universities, research centres and startups. This will facilitate their participation in European calls for proposals. Furthermore, the collaboration will help attract investment and talent, strengthen key skills in smart manufacturing, and reinforce regional innovative specialisation policies.