05/03/2021
Agata Aiazzi, GM Chic Italia, what was Chic's role in the third edition of the China International Import Expo and what experience was it for you?
This year, for obvious reasons, the presence in China of commercial and institutional companies and groups was drastically reduced compared to previous editions. Since I was already in China, I had the honor of being appointed by the Italy China Foundation and the Italian Chinese Chamber of Commerce as a contact in CIIE for supporting Italian companies exhibiting at the fair. The great advantage was that of channeling, also thanks to the Chic Group network, numerous delegations of representatives of various Chinese municipalities, connected to existing projects or under discussion, creating a system to promote Made in Italy.
Chic Group is an international reality that offers solutions and consultancy in various sectors. What are your main activities and your latest projects?
The real estate projects in Chongqing, Nanjing and Xi’an are the ones we are focusing on at the moment. In these days we are discussing a major project with a government group from Nanjing that will be an unmissable opportunity to access China for many Italian companies, including small and medium-sized enterprises. There is a very high demand for made in Italy, products and concepts, and we are working to create an increasingly safe and reliable bridge between the two countries.
After the experience of the pandemic, how do you see the future of events like the CIIE?
To keep the world moving, even events of this magnitude will adapt to the new daily life and restrictions in place. For the Chinese government, some key events remain essential events as they are an opportunity for mutual exchange, very relevant to the country's economy. Precisely for this reason, as Chic Group, we are planning a series of events in the period concomitant with the next CIIE to take advantage of the presence of Italian institutions and companies in China and recreate the possibility of fundamental contacts for future collaborations.
Despite the past difficult period, relations between Italy and China still remain solid and strong. What will need to be worked on in the coming years to further strengthen this relationship?
Definitely continue to work on mutual knowledge and understanding: develop communication between the parties to understand the ways of doing and thinking of two realities which, once the right synergy is reached, give life to excellent results. Another aspect that I would like to suggest is to increase the presence in China: not to create only a virtual relationship, at a distance but, always within the limits of the current times, to try to establish resources on the Chinese territory that have direct contact with the new reality. and that they can be a considerable source of mediation for the company.
In your opinion, how much weight does the work of bodies and institutions such as the Foundation and the Chamber of Commerce have in this relationship?
Very important, fundamental. Having institutional support is a passe-partout to be able to credibly enter the ecosystem of the Chinese market. The resonance and results created by the union of entities and institutions together with companies lead to a credible and functional system that thus creates a network of potential relationships, commercial and otherwise, more solid and linear on all fronts.
What advice would you give to an Italian entrepreneur who today, in 2021, wants to start working with China?
Rely on those who already have experience and knowledge of business landing processes for bilateral support and do not rush: the knowledge of something new to give good results must always be studied calmly. The Chinese market, if approached in the wrong way, can engulf even the largest and safest commercial realities, but in China perseverance and competence pay off and the results are often exceptional.
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