«A development agency to help investors»

«We need a professional network that reduces complexities, simplifies things and makes it possible to have continuity of relationships with them. Our role could be that of a bridge that brings Naples closer to Saudi Arabia, because we are there with three offices in Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam.” Talking is Francesco Sciaudone, manager of the Grimaldi Alliance, a super development agency that has offices all over the world and also one in Naples at Palazzo Donn’Anna. Because the day after the visit of the Saudi Arabian delegation – the Saudi Italian Business Council – to Naples we are wondering how to strengthen the bond with the Saudis and above all encourage them to invest in the city and in Campania.

So Dr. Sciaudone, you participated in the summit with the Saudis and also work with that country. What was the point of this Arab-Neapolitan summit?

«The first thing to do immediately is to follow up on the two days that have just ended, that is, to go to Saudi Arabia and consolidate relations in that country. There is a great predisposition towards Italy and a great predisposition towards Naples and Campania but to put all this into place we must already work on the agenda for the next 5 years and create a critical mass, that is, be united”.

What does this mean in concrete terms?

«Organizing a structured and strategic offer to the gold demand which is enormous, starting from 500 million for an investment they don’t go below and if we don’t join together we are too small to be interesting».

Give an example

«We went to Tarì, the citadel of gold, in there the biggest entrepreneur turns over 50 million a year, but all together they reach 800. Then we could go to Saudi Arabia and offer our skills, our qualities and excellence and attract their investments.”

And is the Grimaldi Alliance the network that could achieve “critical mass”?

«We are the first and only European development agency to enter Saudi Arabia with three offices, we are helping our FS and Hitachi in the construction of the Riyadh metro, we already work with other Italian companies in other fields. To facilitate the work of our companies in a single market that is thirsty for skills and know-how.”

However, in Naples the Saudi delegation also spoke with local institutions such as the Municipality and Region. Perhaps the Saudis are also interested in the institutional level of collaboration? What could be the role of these two bodies?

«The idea of ​​​​a network contract makes businesses free can be opened to local authorities and allow these companies to go to Saudi Arabia with the support of the institutions. This is also an important factor for creating a relationship of trust.”

You are talking about investments by our companies in Saudi Arabia but in Naples they expect Saudi investments in our territory.

«Reciprocity must be created with the opening of a channel. I am thinking for example of the tourist offer or putting together for example Pompeii and Al Ula. The more continuity of the relationship is created, the more stable investors they will become. I am thinking of the field of Real Estate, the economic sector that concerns real estate properties, but everything always depends on the size of the supply compared to their super demand. And we must necessarily make them buy something before other European countries enter this enormous market. The French, for example, have already taken over the maintenance of all the archaeological sites in Saudi Arabia. But the greatest skills in this sector are ours.”

Have we missed the first investment train or can it still be recovered?

«We need to go there prepared with medium-term projects. The Arabs need planning, they are creating new cities, a neighborhood of 1.5 million people. Three airports. Being together is the key to tackling the enormous size of their projects that no one is able to tackle alone. In this way we will also attract their investments to the south, to Naples and Campania.”

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