Shanghai, June 14, 2025 – The China-Italy Chamber of Commerce (CICC) hosted the Asia-Pacific Business Roundtable at the Shanghai Design Innovation Institute, with large participation from institutions, industry representatives, and business communities across the Asia-Pacific region.
Held in the lead-up to the Panda D’Oro Gala Awards, the Roundtable provided a dynamic platform to explore the growing opportunities for Italian companies in the Asia-Pacific region and promote the global value of Made in Italy.
Under the theme “Unlocking the Potential of Made in Italy”, the event was organized with the with the support of the Embassy of Italy to the People’s Republic of China, the Consulate General of Italy in Shanghai, the Italian Trade Agency (ITA), and in collaboration with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), SACE, SIMEST, EU SME Centre and the Italian Chambers of Commerce in the Asia-Pacific region of Assocamerestero.
Opening Remarks were delivered by Lorenzo Riccardi, Chairman of the China-Italy Chamber of Commerce, and H.E. Massimo Ambrosetti, Ambassador of Italy to the P.R.C.
Francesco Pensabene, Italian Trade Commissioner to China and Mongolia, presented a comprehensive overview of China’s foreign trade dynamics and their impact on Italy-China economic relations.
The first panel discussion, "Unlocking Asia-Pacific: Trade, Finance and Strategic Partnerships", featured:
Antonio Adinolfi, Director AIIB, Explained how AIIB is investing in infrastructure and digital ecosystems to support cross-border trade and Italian business expansion in Asia.
Davide Follador, Trade Counsellor, EU Delegation to China,Outlined recent EU policies and frameworks boosting trade facilitation and regulatory cooperation across Asia-Pacific.
Donato Morea, Head of China and East Asia, SACE, described key financial tools used by Italian exporters and how SACE supports risk mitigation and business growth in the region.
Giuseppe Corcelli, Director, SIMEST ASEAN, highlighted common challenges for Italian SMEs in ASEAN and how SIMEST helps through co-financing, equity participation, and advisory services.
Wang Qiong, Senior Vice President, Luxe Co, shared insights on local partnerships and market positioning strategies that have enabled premium brands to thrive in Asia.
The whole panel was moderated by Mauro Maggioni, Vice Chairman, CICC Eastern China.
Following, Gianni Di Giovanni, Chairman of ENI China, delivered a case study titled “Driving Sustainable Energy and Strategic Growth”, sharing ENI’s long-term vision and role in advancing green energy solutions in Asia.
The second panel, "Italian Business in Asia-Pacific: Regional Strategies and Chamber Insights", gathered key voices from the Italian Chamber network in Asia-Pacific:
Lorenzo Riccardi, Chairman of the China-Italy Chamber of Commerce, highlighted the strengths of Italian companies that make them competitive in the Asia-Pacific region.
Alessandro Giuliani, President of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in India, spoke about the adaptability of Italian businesses in India’s fast-evolving regulatory and market landscape.
Michele D’Ercole, President of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam, identified Vietnam’s most promising sectors for Italian investment, particularly manufacturing and consumer goods.
Giacomo Iobizzi, Secretary General of theThai-Italian Chamber of Commerce, discussed how local partnerships and value chain integration drive business success in Thailand.
Davide De Rosa, President of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, reflected on Hong Kong’s changing role as a regional business hub and its evolving value for Italian firms.
The panel was moderated by Avril Accolla, Board Member of CICC Eastern China.
The event concluded with a Q&A session spotlighting Italian success stories in Asia-Pacific. Companies including Ducati, Exprivia, Intesa Sanpaolo, Brembo, and Beretta shared real-world experiences, highlighting innovation, community building, and market adaptability as key drivers of success.
Thank you to ENI, De’Longhi and Natuzzi Italia for their support for this event.
The Asia-Pacific Business Roundtable reinforced the importance of regional integration, strategic partnerships, and Italian entrepreneurial spirit in navigating the evolving landscape of international trade and investment.
The roundtable was followed by the Panda D’Oro Gala Awards, which honored the top-performing Italian companies in China for their achievements in 2024. Together, the two events brought together over 700 guests from the Italian and Chinese business communities.