A crucial point of reference for a leading sector of the national economy.
The third edition of LetExpo is scheduled at Veronafiere until Friday 15 March, an event organized by Alis, a leading company for the entire logistics sector (with over 2500 members including companies and organizations operating in the sector), transport and services to companies in Italy and Europe, in collaboration with Veronafiere and sponsored by the Ministries of Infrastructure and Transport and of the Environment and Energy Security, by the Municipality and Province of Verona, and which sees the Defense General Staff as its institutional partner.
For four days, sustainable transport and logistics are the absolute protagonists in the event which last year attracted 85 thousand visitors and this 2024 edition - inaugurated this morning - confirms its continued growth with 400 exhibitors, 5 pavilions, one of which entirely dedicated to social with inclusion projects, help and support for the most needy.
“The transport and logistics sector constitutes an important lever for supporting and developing the country's economy - said the president of Alis, Guido Grimaldi - There are still many challenges awaiting this sector.
I thank the Government and the institutions, which are close to us with a prestigious presence also in this edition, and the Army and the Navy which are our important traveling companions".
The LetExpo 2024 program offers a busy calendar of events dedicated to commercial opportunities, B2B events, conferences, seminars, workshops, practical sessions, demonstrations, with the aim of spreading ecological awareness in the logistics, business and services sectors , professions and education.
Also speaking at the ribbon cutting was the deputy prime minister and minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Matteo Salvini, who - despite the current international economic phase - underlined the happy moment of the sector: "Despite the wars and the pirates of the Red Sea, despite the price increase, there is a stronger Italy.
We are already growing in France and Germany, so it has been an absolutely positive year."
Minister Salvini was echoed by the president of Veneto, Luca Zaia, highlighting the leadership of his region: "We are the center of the world of logistics and transport: of the four national corridors, three are in Veneto, Veneto has the first national interport and the second at European level but above all we move one million TEUs per year.
I would say that there are all the conditions to talk about logistics in a serious manner right here in Veneto". And the Minister of Business and Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso, during his greeting speech highlighted that "it is necessary to expand collaboration plans so that the country can become a Euro-Mediterranean energy and logistics hub,
but also confirm its role as a manufacturing hub".
"Logistics in Italy is in fact increasingly strategic, and in 2023 it contributed 135 billion euros to the Italian GDP, a figure equal to just under 10% of the gross domestic product" he added. During the four days at LetExpo they will be discussed major topics of interest and current affairs, from the geopolitical situation concerning the Suez Canal and the Red Sea and the impacts on the world of logistics and transport, the data of the sector in Italy and their impact on a European level. Red is causing heavy extra costs to maritime transport companies, "which only due to the increase in insurance policies amounts to 400 thousand euros per single passage of an average ship - observed Guido Grimaldi -.
Italy-China trade alone corresponds to 154 billion euros, or 40% of the total import-export that passes through the Suez Canal.
The choice to circumnavigate Africa, reaching the Strait of Gibraltar and therefore far from Italian ports is resulting in an increase in navigation days, at least between 10 and 15, and an increase in maritime container freight by 200% compared to 2023 ". The Minister of Defense, Guido Crosetto, speaking at LetExpo2024 reiterated that “there is unfair competition between companies. Because if the Chinese or Russian company is not hit, and only the Western ones are hit, there will be an advantage over medium and long term for all Chinese and Russian companies which on the one hand will be safer and on the other will have fewer insurance-related costs. This is a hybrid war on the entire Western economic system in favor of an alternative economic system". "For this reason I thank the commitment of the frigates of the Navy "Fasan", "Martinengo" and "Caio Duilio" in defense of our ships and our seamen. We extend great thanks to them and to the entire Defense" concluded the president by Alis.