A question to the Minister of Business and Made in Italy on the state of health of the Carpi textile-clothing district. It was the Correggio deputy of the 5 Star Movement who brought it to the attention of Minister Adolfo Urso last Friday 3 May Stefania Ascari, elected to the latest elections in the Modena constituency.
“The city of Carpi is recognized as one of the European capitals of textile-clothing, specialized in the production of knitwear and clothing made in Italy; the Carpi textile and clothing district, which includes the municipalities of Carpi, Cavezzo, Concordia, Novi and San Poxidenio, represents a highly specialized area with an incidence of workers in the textile sector compared to the manufacturing industry of 60.9 percent one hundred – writes Ascari in his question –. The businesses in the district, which contribute significantly to the national turnover of the sector (4 percent), are characterized by a system of small and very small businesses that guarantee great flexibility through subcontracting. The region, in particular the Carpi area, has suffered serious economic repercussions due to the pandemic, the increase in the costs of raw materials and energy, as well as the effects of the conflict in Ukraine, with which the district has significant trade exchanges, causing serious consequences in terms of business closures and leaving highly specialized workers who are not easy to relocate without work”.
Having drawn a picture that we know all too well in these parts, the Correggio deputy questions the Minister whether “he is aware of the above facts and considering the sectoral crisis exacerbated by the global pandemic, the war in Ukraine, the conflict in the Middle East, the increase in the price of materials raw materials and energy, what urgent measures of competence it intends to propose to support and guarantee the operational continuity of the companies in the Carpi district, especially the small ones which constitute the majority”.
In particular, Ascari urges the Ministry on four aspects: visibility and recognisability, access to credit, tax exemption, and certifications.
On the first front, the question asks the Minister “what strategic initiatives he envisages to increase the visibility and international recognition of the Carpi district as the capital of knitwear and clothing, in order to further expand the export market for the products made in Carpi”.
On access to credit, “given the important presence of micro-enterprises within the district, what are the Minister’s plans to facilitate access to financing, innovative technologies and training for these companies, in order to enhance their competitiveness and long-term sustainability”.
With regards to taxation, “in light of the importance of supporting small and very small businesses in the district in their internationalization work through participation in international fairs both in Italy and abroad”, Ascari asks the Ministry “if it intends to undertake tax initiatives expertise aimed at introducing a tax credit, in percentage form, of the cost of purchasing the exhibition space and related services within the sector’s exhibition centres, from which the company can benefit, in F24, in a shorter time than at the time he incurred the cost of the purchase.”
Finally, Ascari asks “what relevant initiatives the questioned Minister intends to adopt in order to make it easier to obtain quality certifications that enhance their commitment to maintaining high standards of production and sustainability, thus increasing their attractiveness on national markets and international”.
