MILAN, November 11, 2019 – Progetto Italia is an example of a national project capable of reviving growth and creating jobs, a project that allows for the creation of a group that can compete in the global infrastructure sector. This is how the industrial operation led by Salini Impregilo to consolidate the country’s sector with Astaldi’s involvement was described by Maurizio Landini, Secretary General of Confederazione Generale Italiana del Lavoro (CGIL), the country’s largest union confederation, during an interview with Lucia Annunziata, host of Mezz’ora in più, a political talk show broadcast on November 10 on Italian state television, Rai 3. According to Landini, “there is a need to get construction sites up and running again and get people back to work since there are a lot of investments that have yet to be unblocked”. In a sector like construction, they are putting together “these two companies, Cassa Depositi e Prestiti is getting involved, the banking system has worked well and has given support to the birth of a group that can compete in the world”, he added.

Along with other union representatives, Landini has several times voiced his support for the operation, which aims to revive the construction sector in Italy and give a boost to development and employment. It would protect 70,000-85,000 jobs, a number that could reach 300,000-400,000 in next five years.

Project Italia aims to unblock construction sites worth €36.4 billion that have remained blocked in Italy. The value reaches €86 billion when taking into account the entire supply chain of small- and medium-sized businesses that work alongside larger construction companies. Thanks to the size and international outlook of the future new Group, it could serve as a hub for the supply chain, offering opportunities to collaborate on the most important works sites in the world. Within this system, small- and medium-sized suppliers would be able to join a big player, increasing managerial know-how and specialisation, as well as increasing opportunities to participate successfully in international tenders. These would in turn create useful references for future projects, leading to a virtuous circle. Just this past year there have been 1,500 Italian companies that Salini Impregilo got involved in contracts throughout the world for a combined value of more than €1 billion.