Alberto Zattini, director of Ascom Confcommercio of Forlì, the annual members’ meeting is being held today, an opportunity to take stock of the state of health of the trade association. Is its balance sheet positive?
“We have achieved important results and have consolidated ourselves in the area: we are acquiring new professional firms, we have made hires and we have added 260 square meters of additional space, reaching 1,300 in total. I can say that we have also achieved good results in economic terms – financial institutions and we are proud to be presented at a national level as the most important association in the tourism, trade and services sectors”.
How many are your numbers in the province?
“We have 4,000 members, 160 employed workers and we have a turnover of 10 million. In percentage terms we are among the top ten Ascoms in Italy”.
Let’s move on to your world, that of public establishments: what are the priorities today?
“At the assembly held in Rome in the presence of the highest officials of the State, President Mattarella reiterated how fundamental trade is for our cities and our towns and launched an appeal to the institutions to ensure that small businesses are central. There is no recipe, but everyone must be clear about the fundamental role of small businesses and direct their energies to the needs of commerce”.
Which ones are they?
“Above all the balance in the distribution network: pluralism must not mean that a predominant reality can swallow up the others”.
In the city there were fears that Formì would swallow up the other businesses. How is it going?
“Consumption is at a standstill almost everywhere in the city and 2024 certainly doesn’t look exciting, despite the slight growth in GDP. Therefore we advise operators, who are already very careful, to pay close attention to warehouse stocks and have care regarding the management of all unsold items: a measure that can help manage the unequal online competition. For our part, we can say that we are and will be at their side as we were during the flood, when we canceled completely invoicing for those who have been affected, giving up significant revenues in order to actually be close to the companies”.
The newly re-elected mayor of Forlì, Gian Luca Zattini, will also be present at your meeting. She immediately wanted to congratulate him. Do you think he deserved a second term?
“The result he obtained speaks clearly: the citizen data from the European elections was then reversed to the administrative elections, a sign that people appreciated his work. We never lacked criticism and notes when we deemed it necessary, but this does not take away that Zattini certainly deserved to be able to work for another five years.”
Now the mayor will have to form his team: among the names in the balance is that of the Northern League member Daniele Mezzacapo, with whom you have had clashes in recent months.
“I pointed out to him the fact that, regarding safety and residential conditions, there had been a lack of meetings and direct discussions. Then we clarified”.
Among the names in question there is also that of Kevin Bravi, candidate with the civic list, an entrepreneur who has often collaborated with Confcommercio. Would you like it inside?
“Bravi has collaborated with us and with other associations in projects and initiatives related to the cultural growth of young people. I think it is important that young people take care of young people. Bravi, however, also has excellent preparation regarding the theme of the center historic. I am sure that the mayor will be able to put together the best team possible.”
