AIIT, in synergy with TÜRKONFED, has launched a series of meetings with major Italian trade associations representing the world of SMEs. The objective is to promote the concept of “Region to Region” cooperation, conceived by AIIT as a fundamental pillar for the internationalization of businesses.

The “Region to Region” model moves beyond the logic of generic inter-state agreements, focusing instead on building direct bridges between Italian production districts and Turkish industrial zones.

Italy and Türkiye share a similar economic structure: both are manufacturing powerhouses based on a dense network of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) with deep local roots. AIIT’s goal is to enable these local centers of excellence to engage in a mirrored and structured dialogue.

A key element of this vision is cohesion among various Italian regional structures. To maximize impact on international markets, the “Region to Region” model proposes the integration of all local stakeholders under a single coordinated leadership at the regional level, to interface with the Turkish industrial districts encompassed and represented by TÜRKONFED.

In the model proposed by AIIT, Confindustria, Confapi, and Chambers of Commerce operate synergistically to offer businesses a coherent internationalization path. Simultaneously, the Regional Government assumes the role of a strategic facilitator, harmonizing resources and ensuring that the “voice of the territory” is unified and authoritative abroad.

This territorial cohesion acts as a natural interface for central institutions and subsidized finance tools. Thanks to this coordination, access to the services of SACE, SIMEST, Invitalia, and Mediocredito Centrale becomes more fluid and specifically targeted to the real needs of the production district.