Export continues to be the locomotive of the Sienese economy also in 2024. It is not new, but the numbers are still worthy of note: in the first quarter of this year there was a +20.7% compared to the last quarter of 2023 for a value of 1 billion and 399 million euros. Figures that were illustrated yesterday morning during the ‘Twenty-second Economic Day – Siena 2030’, organized by the Chamber of Commerce, the University of Siena and the MPS Foundation, and coordinated by Pino Di Blasio, editor-in-chief of La Nazione Siena. “Despite the geopolitical context, the world economy closed 2023 with greater growth than expected – highlights Massimo Guasconi, president of the Arezzo-Siena Chamber of Commerce –. Even real data, such as those relating to exports, seem to confirm For now, a positive trend for the Sienese economy.” In detail, Guasconi continued: “In the last ten years, Sienese exports in current values have recorded a decidedly higher increase compared to both Tuscany and Italy, almost quintupling their value, driven in particular by the pharmaceutical sector whose growth is was absolutely exceptional (over the space of two years the value of the sector’s exports has almost tripled. The 2024 data also see Siena in third place in the export ranking of the Tuscan provinces, compared to 2023 which placed us in fifth place”. .
Other important data comes from the ‘Prometeia-scenarios local economies’ report. “The overall added value of the province of Siena is in fact estimated for 2023 at around 8.6 billion euros, with an increase compared to 2022 of 0.8% – underlines Marco Randellini, general secretary of the Chamber of Commerce –. The sectors which drove this growth were primarily construction (+7.5%), which still largely benefits from the bonuses and services, in particular tourism. Agriculture was down (-8.4%) due to the consequences of a difficult year. The forecasts for 2024 are positive for employment, albeit with a slowdown compared to those for 2023”.
The leaders of the MPS Foundation were also present for the occasion: “The Foundation presents itself as a place of connection and promoter of social relations and institutional and territorial cohesion”, commented the president Carlo Rossi. General manager Marco Forte echoes him: “Economy day is an important moment of discussion and reflection with local institutions on specific indicators on which to start concrete discussions”. Also taking part in the debate was Donata Medaglini, pro rector of the University of Siena, who underlined: “Recent Almalaurea surveys indicate an employment rate one year after graduation of over 77%, above the national average”.
Furthermore, Francesca Gagliardi, responsible for the University of the Siena2030 project, took stock: “The local data is starting to highlight a positive change towards the digital transformation of businesses and towards investments in renewable energy. We are still far behind on waste. The demographic imbalance continues to be high.” Among the guests also the regional councilor Leonardo Marras (photo alongside), who gave a regional overview: “In general, Tuscany is worse off than other regions. We have production that is highly exposed to international markets but also very low levels of unemployment and highly specialized sectors that make Tuscany a leader in Europe, I am thinking of campers”.
