A framework agreement to support SMEs

Many topics will be the focus of programs of common interest and joint activities under the agreement signed by President Andrea De Zordo, Secretary General Andrea Simoni and Chancellor Flavio Deflorian

“Signing this Framework Agreement with the University of Trento and Fondazione Bruno Kessler,” said Chamber of Commerce President Andrea De Zordo, ” represents a significant step in consolidating a collaboration aimed at supporting our local entrepreneurs.  This agreement is not just a formal document, but a concrete commitment to support Trentino businesses in the challenge of digital and technological transformation.  We live in a time when innovation is the key to competitiveness.  Companies, especially small and medium-sized ones, should be able to count on adequate tools and skills to face the digital transition, the challenge of sustainability as well as the opportunities offered by Artificial Intelligence and cybersecurity. Thanks to this collaboration, we will be able to provide them with support, training and strategic economic analysis to increase their ability to innovate and compete in the markets”.

“With the signing of this agreement,” – Andrea Simoni stressed – ”for the first time, projects will be put in place that will bring together three main players of the Trentino system: the University of Trento, an engine of development and knowledge, the Chamber of Commerce, which has always been a reference and close to businesses, and Fondazione Bruno Kessler, a research center that looks at its local communities as a laboratory of innovation.  FBK strongly believes in this synergy and, with this agreement, opens its laboratories providing expertise and facilities for common growth.”

“Today’s agreement,” Chancellor Flavio Deflorian said, ”starts from experiences we have already gained in past years, with targeted initiatives and projects in areas of mutual interest, which now, with this agreement, can have a better defined framework and more significant development.  Collaboration with the Trentino research system will be able to help the Chamber of Commerce face today’s challenges with even greater confidence, from issues related to innovation to those involving cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.  Shared research and development topics on which both the University of Trento and Fondazione Bruno Kessler are at the forefront. Today’s framework agreement will be followed by implementation agreements, in which we will go into the substance of the issues, perhaps thinking about further joint projects or initiatives in the area of PhD programs.”

The topics of the agreement will focus on sustainable development according to the criteria of Agenda 2030; the promotion of the culture of innovation among Trentino companies, with particular reference to the topics of digital transformation and Transition 5. 0, cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence; technological changes aimed at initiating innovation processes; industrial property as a tool for business growth and distinctiveness; increasing managerial skills in small and medium-sized businesses in the local area; and aspects related to regional economic analysis, with particular relevance to the issues of the economic situation and the entrepreneurial and employment structure of the province.

The collaboration may take shape by pushing a network that will involve companies operating in Trentino, informative events, and the setup of training courses also through Accademia d’Impresa.’’’

As part of the Framework Agreement, which will last three years, joint economic analysis work has also been planned, partly with the collaboration of students and PhDs made available by the University.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE/UNIVERSITY OF TRENTO/FONDAZIONE BRUNO KESSLER PRESS RELEASE

Viviana Lupi (FBK): tel. 0461
312482Alessandra Saletti (University of Trento): tel. 0461 281131Paolo
Milani (Chamber of Commerce): tel. 0461 887105