by CHIARA TOSARONI-
CIVITAVECCHIA – There is less than a month left until the administrative elections of the City of Civitavecchia and CNA, together with the Friends of the Civitavecchia Market Association, has brought to the attention of the candidates for mayor some fundamental questions which put the territory, the citizens and the small and medium-sized enterprises.
This morning, at the CNA headquarters in Civitavecchia in via Palmiro Togliatti 7, a press conference was held where Alessio Gismondi And Vincenzo Lisi, respectively president and vice-president of the CNA of Viterbo and Civitavecchia, illustrated the Confederation’s proposals. Together with them Stefano De Paolis and Diego Bevilacqua, both members ofAssociation of Friends of the Civitavecchia Market.
The deputy secretary of the CNA Viterbo and Civitavecchia opened the meeting, Attilio Lupidi, which highlighted the fundamental role of trade associations as interlocutors with the political world. Lupidi explained that the CNA organized this press conference because it considers the Municipality as the main entity in promoting and supporting the well-being of the territory, of which businesses represent an essential component. “The role of intermediate bodies is crucial to protect the entrepreneurial fabric and to establish a constructive dialogue with the administrations, which continues even after the elections.”
“What we are asking the candidates for the next elections today is to have a solid discussion, which also allows the employers’ associations to give the right suggestions to the administrations, for an improvement of the territory” began the president of CNA Viterbo and Civitavecchia, Alessio Gismondi.
Gismondi he then urged the establishment, by the future administration, of the regulations for the registration in the De.CO register of four typical products of the Civitavecchia culinary tradition, so that pastry chefs and bakers – he explained – can boast of this mark to be affixed in the packaging of the products they offer.
“We have four specialties which are the Civitavecchiese covered pizza, the dead beans, the Christmas biscuits and the Easter pizza,” recalled the CNA president – “these products not only represent our history, but have significant tourism potential, they should also be offered in our restaurants in Civitavecchia”
A further crucial point concerns the access of the Municipality of Civitavecchia to the “Historical Shops” tender, promoted by the Lazio Region. Gismondi expressed the need to obtain clarification regarding the delays that prevent local shops from accessing funds intended for the protection and valorisation of historical activities. Such economic financing is in fact fundamental for the modernization of the shops, thus facilitating their operations.
“It is incomprehensible,” underlined the president, “how all the five Lazio provinces have joined the call, together with the municipalities that are part of it, while the Municipality of Civitavecchia has not yet taken part in this initiative.”
Tax management for businesses was at the center of attention, with a call for a review of IMU and TARI rates. “The current tax pressure is unsustainable,” explained Vincenzo Lisi, “Reducing the rates would mean giving local businesses breathing space, encouraging innovation and competitiveness.”
Support for new businesses and business continuity represent a topic of fundamental importance. Alessio Gismondi observed how new businesses have an average lifespan that is halved compared to the past. “We see significant interest from young people in sectors such as catering and hairdressing,” he said – “however, few are entering the manufacturing sector. In this regard, it would be crucial to establish an open dialogue with the municipal administration to start a broader discussion on training, also involving the Lazio Region.”
From this perspective, the proposal put forward to the future administration consists of the introduction of tax exemptions in the first years of activity of new businesses, in addition to the allocation of specific resources to facilitate generational turnover.
Before concluding, the issue of illegal construction was addressed.
“Unauthorized construction is a plague that harms both legitimate businesses and consumers,” he said Gismondi. “We invite future administrations to study effective protocols for compliance with the rules and we hope for the functioning of the control bodies that must ensure compliance with the rules themselves”.
Diego Bevilacqua, member of the Friends of the Civitavecchia Market Association, he placed emphasis on the future of the city market, raising important questions during his speech.
“What the Association wants to know is whether the future administration intends to create a consortium for modern and organized management of the market, with the aim of establishing a single voice that can interface effectively with the municipal administration,” declared Bevilacqua.
Continuing his speech he underlined the importance of the market as a tourist attraction, highlighting how tourists are fascinated by this form of traditional trade.
“It is essential that the Municipality is committed to maintaining the decorum of the market. We want to understand whether the future administration intends to promote the autonomy and self-management of the market, in accordance with the regional legislation on the management of market areas,” he added Drink water.
Before concluding, a reflection on the redevelopment works of Piazza Regina Margherita. “We have no clarity on how these works will take place and where the operators will be located during them.” And he continued: “We therefore ask the administration to clarify its intentions regarding the redevelopment of the area. As an Association, we wish to be part of the control tables of the redevelopment works, to address together any critical issues that may emerge. This is part of a broader discussion of redevelopment and urban decoration of the historic center, with the aim of encouraging the participation of activities also coming from neighboring municipalities and promoting administration activities.”
Stefano De Paolis, associating himself with Bevilacqua’s words, he also urged the establishment of a pedestrian area and the transfer of the commercial office to Piazza Regina Margherita.
The conference represented an important moment of discussion, with the CNA and the Friends of the Civitavecchia Market Association reaffirming their commitment to the growth and sustainability of the territory, awaiting concrete responses from the candidates for mayor.
