The results of the Business Climate Survey for Italy 2023 reveal that despite macroeconomic challenges, a majority of the Swedish companies present in the market perceive the current business climate to be favourable or neutral.
Almost half (47 per cent) plan to increase investments in the coming year and 64 per cent expect to increase their turnover.
Companies are, due to the high-interest rates, expected to finance new investments by the re-investment of profits, while the introduction of new NextGenerationEU-funded projects is also expected to boost investments, especially within digitalisation.
Sixty-four per cent of our surveyed companies have stated that they are expecting an increase in their turnover in the coming 12 months. Of the Swedish companies in Italy, 77 per cent plan to increase or keep their investment levels for the next 12 months.
The share of companies being engaged in marketing and sales operations as their key activity is similar to last year’s survey results. After-sales support has increased by seven percentage points, further highlighting the importance of a local establishment and maintaining a close connection with the Italian customer base.
In general, Sweden is perceived positively in Italy and associated to a high degree with innovation and sustainability. A large majority of the survey respondents, 87 per cent, reported that the Swedish brand to some extent contributes to their business in Italy, of which the majority, 50 per cent of these 87 per cent, reported that it contributes much or very much.
Please download the report to fully overview the results with a detailed analysis.
ABOUT THE SURVEY
Team Sweden Italy (the Embassy in Rome, Business Sweden, and the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in Milan) have joined forces and carried out a business climate survey among Swedish companies currently present in Italy. The survey was performed during Q2 2023. The purpose of this report is to increase the understanding of Swedish companies’ performance in Italy as well as the opportunities and challenges that the Italian market poses.
130 Swedish companies were invited to participate in the survey to share their sentiments and thoughts on the Italian market, out of which about five could not participate due to internal policies. A total of 47 responses were received, resulting in a response rate of 38 per cent.
Finally, we would like to extend our most sincere gratitude to the participating companies and respondents who have contributed to this report.
