Business and Diplomacy in Bologna: Great Success for the Italy-Türkiye Economic Forum at Villa Damat
Alongside the football match between Italy and Türkiye, AIIT, TÜRKONFED, and Confindustria Emilia Area Centro brought together institutions, diplomats, and business leaders to strengthen industrial exchanges and bilateral investments.
Bologna – The bilateral Italy-Türkiye economic summit held in the prestigious setting of Villa Damat, just outside Bologna, concluded with extraordinary results. This high-profile institutional and business gathering was conceived to leverage a unique occasion: the eagerly awaited football match between the national teams of Italy and Türkiye at the Dall’Ara Stadium, transformed into a powerful catalyst for economic diplomacy, industrial cooperation, and operational networking.
The initiative was conceived and promoted by the Italian-Turkish Business Association (AIIT), chaired by Giuseppe Laghezza Masci, with the goal of establishing a direct and operational channel between the production systems of both countries. AIIT officially represents the Turkish employers’ confederation TÜRKONFED (with over 100,000 member companies) and its international network, TÜRKONFED International, across Italy, Malta, and San Marino.
The success of the event was made possible through close collaboration with Confindustria Emilia Area Centro, thanks to the front-line commitment of Dr. Morena Fiorentini, and the decisive support of Burak Pehlivan, President of TÜRKONFED International, who actively and continuously championed the forum’s realization.
A Top-Tier Institutional and Consular Attendance
Demonstrating the exceptional strategic importance of the meeting was the participation of H.E. Elif Çomoğlu Ülgen, Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Rome, who expressed deep appreciation for the work accomplished and for the continuous strengthening of economic relations between Rome and Ankara.
Alongside the Ambassador, the presence of the Consul General of Türkiye in Milan was of particular significance, underscoring the centrality of the Northern Italian axis in bilateral trade.
A special greeting and mention were dedicated to the President of TÜRKONFED, Süleyman Sönmez, who, despite being unable to attend in person due to unforeseen institutional commitments, conveyed his continuous support, closeness, and guidance to the initiative.
The working sessions were attended by distinguished figures from the economic landscape, including Gino Costa, representing the Investment and Finance Office of the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye for Italy, top consular and chamber of commerce representatives, and qualified institutional delegates from the Republic of San Marino.
B2B Meetings and Industrial Synergies
The operational core of the day featured focused B2B sessions between major Turkish industrial groups and leading manufacturing enterprises affiliated with Confindustria Emilia and the national business ecosystem. Advanced mechanics, packaging, automotive, ecological transition, and energy were the key sectors where concrete negotiations were initiated, set to materialize into supply agreements and operational joint ventures in the coming weeks.
Statements by President Giuseppe Laghezza Masci
«AIIT’s primary mission is not diplomatic theory, but tangible results: putting companies in real conditions to dialogue, invest, and generate shared growth», stated President Giuseppe Laghezza Masci.
«At a historic moment when Türkiye reaffirms itself as a fundamental strategic crossroads and an indispensable industrial partner for Italy, combining the appeal of sports with the substance of business was a winning choice. Through our direct representation of TÜRKONFED and TÜRKONFED International, we offer our companies privileged access to top tiers of the Turkish market. When vision is backed by the generosity and strength of partners like Burak Pehlivan and the solidity of Confindustria Emilia, no milestone is out of reach».
Special Recognition to the Organizing Team
The flawless execution of such an extensive and multifaceted summit was the result of an extraordinarily professional organizational effort.
Sincere and heartfelt gratitude from the Presidency and the Board of AIIT goes to Svitlana Ostapenko, Pelin Oğur, Alaaddin Güven Memiş, Alberto Agostini and Irmak Kasapoğlu: through their dedication, precision, and passion, they managed every single detail of guest reception, protocol, and operational coordination, ensuring a first-class experience for all guests and delegations.
Towards New Bilateral Milestones
The Bologna summit reaffirms the central role of Emilia-Romagna as an international manufacturing hub and consolidates AIIT’s position as an authoritative, accredited platform for the development of chamber of commerce and economic relations between Italy and Türkiye.
