A new step forward in support of entrepreneurship in Italy and China. Banca Intesa Sanpaolo and the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) today signed a commercial memorandum of understanding within the institutional framework of the Italy-China Foundation, of which they are historically partners and effective members of the board. The trilateral Memorandum of Understanding, signed at the China International Import Expo (CIIE), underway in Shanghai, and aimed in particular at the segment of small and medium-sized enterprises and aims to effectively support, through financial and non-financial services, Italian and Chinese SMEs interested in industrial and commercial activities in the two reference markets.
This cooperation will also be developed through the possible identification of distribution points dedicated to the needs of both entrepreneurial realities. The two banks, leaders in the respective countries in which they are present with a widespread network, aim to offer products and services to support the needs of the two communities, favoring the presentation and subsequent accompaniment of each other’s customers, also through support and experience. of the Italy-China Foundation. The partnership will also be aimed at carrying out joint promotional initiatives in favor of business development in the reference areas.
“Internationalization is a decisive tool for the relaunch of our country and for the development of businesses”, explained Stefano Barrese, head of the bank division of the territories of Intesa Sanpaolo, “which our bank has always placed at the center of its commitment to Italian entrepreneurship, also thanks to the over 300 specialists present throughout the national territory. This agreement represents a development lever for our companies towards a market of great importance and in constant evolution that Intesa Sanpaolo has been overseeing for some time, offering SMEs products and dedicated services that favor its growth also abroad. Thanks to this partnership, we are also aiming for the first time to structure adistinctive commercial offer to effectively respond to the needs of Chinese entrepreneurs “.
Rosario Strano, Intesa Sanpaolo’s China project manager, commented: “The commercial agreement protocol with ICBC, under the institutional umbrella and with the operational support of the Italy-China Foundation, once again confirms the Bank’s ability to implement cooperation agreements with important international and institutional partners. Through the potential of two large banks such as ISP and ICBC, the development of the entrepreneurial initiatives of SMEs, significantly present in the two countries, companies that more than others need to be supported through a platform, will be facilitated. complete with financial and non-financial services, during the different phases of their growth “.
“This initiative is fully part of our mission, which is to support Italian and Chinese partners and companies”, declared Mario Boselli, president of the Italy-China Foundation. “For over 18 years we have been the most important Italian-Chinese platform operating in our country and that is why we wanted to field two important international companies and strategic partners such as ISP and ICBC. This agreement is the only one of its kind with Italy signed by ICBC during the China International Import Expo and will allow us to provide an innovative tool at the system level, a further practical support to the companies of the two countries in a difficult period like this “. (All rights reserved)
