De Felice (Intesa), manufacturing exports +53% from 2016 to 2025

"Over the last twenty-five years, Italy has significantly strengthened its presence on international markets, with a propensity to export going from 25.6% in 2000 to 31.6% in 2025". Thus Gregorio De Felice, chief economist of Intesa Sanpaolo, during an event as part of the 2026 Business Festival promoted by ItalyPost, the Municipality, the Bergamo Chamber of Commerce and Confindustria.

"Particularly significant - he adds - is the performance of the manufacturing sector: between 2016 and 2025 exports grew by 53%, more than what was recorded in the main European countries. A result that confirms the competitiveness of our production system, based on the quality of production, the ability to innovate and the contribution of small and medium-sized enterprises. In a phase marked by geopolitical tensions and energy increases, it will be essential to continue investing in technology and skills and diversify the outlet".

Growth is faced with energy pressures and inflation which, according to De Felice's forecasts, would stand at 3.3% in 2026 and 2.9% in 2027. Italian GDP held up better than expected in the first half of 2026, before a phase of stagnation during the summer. On the structural front, 69.2% of companies in industry strictly speaking carried out innovative activities in the period 2022-2024: one of the resources to focus on to support international competitiveness.