-‘To promote our cultural and creative industries'-

ROME, May. 31, 2024 /ANSA=KYODO JBN/ --

Fondazione Altagamma, which represents 119 leading Italian companies, and the Commissariat General for Italy at Expo 2025 Osaka have kicked off a scientific and cultural cooperation to plan and promote initiatives to be showcased at the Italian Pavilion during the Universal Exhibition.

The objective is to promote innovation, growth and the internationalization of Italian cultural and creative industries that represent Italy’s soft power to further strengthen the global notoriety of Italian brands and the image of an Italian style that is famous worldwide.

The agreement – according to a statement – was signed by Altagamma President Matteo Lunelli and the Commissioner General for Italy at Expo 2025 Osaka Mario Vattani during the 2024 Altagamma Day held in Rome with the participation of Business and Made in Italy Minister Adolfo Urso.

In a message sent for the event, Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stressed that “Altagamma brands are the symbol of Italian know-how for which we are renowned worldwide.

“The valorisation of this extraordinary heritage is at the centre of a diplomacy of growth and the strategy of exports.

“Ever since the start of my mandate, I have placed at the centre of the foreign ministry’s action the internationalization of our productive system, which also implies taking part in great international events like Expo 2025 Osaka.

“I am happy that Altagamma and its partners are part of this project”, he concluded.

“The agreement with Fondazione Altagamma is strategic to present our excellence within the global window of Expo 2025 Osaka”, explained Vattani.

“Japan is the second importer of Italian products in Asia, but these are driving factors of our export across that entire region of the world.

“The concept of ‘Thinking with the hands’ will be one of the main themes of the Italian Pavilion designed by Mario Cucinella.

“It is necessary to involve new generations to teach them the knowledge on which Italian know-how is based.

“Today, even talking about training on a global stage is a diplomatic tool of growth, because it presents to the world an updated and complete image of Italy”, he noted.

“It is a great pleasure to have here Ambassador Vattani for the signature of the agreement between Altagamma and the Commissariat”, commented Altagamma President Matteo Lunelli.

“Manufacturing know-how unites Italy and Japan, and Japanese culture appreciates the excellence of Made in Italy, recognizing our savoir faire.

“Expo Osaka 2025 will be an extraordinary window in an important market for our sector.

“In 2023, the market recorded a double-digit growth and it represents a great opportunity for us.

“Expo will be fundamental to represent Italy within this marvellous project and we are proud of the space that Altagamma will have within the Italian Pavilion”, concluded Lunelli.

Expo 2025 Osaka is scheduled to take place in Japan from April 13 until October 13 on the artificial island of Yumeshima.

A total of 160 countries will take part in the event, which is expected to attract some 30 million visitors mainly hailing from Japan and Asia, an area rich with young markets and recording strong economic growth.

Source: General Commissioner’s Office of Italy for Expo 2025 Osaka