May 15, 2015 – A focus on young talent and a push to expand abroad while keeping strong roots in Italy for a group like Salini Impregilo. These are some of the topics discussed by Chief Executive Pietro Salini in a May 14 interview with Nicola Porro, host of the political talk show "Virus" broadcast on Rai 2, Italy's public television network.

Pietro Salini spoke of the group's growth strategy and its campaign to hire 15,000 people throughout the world under a four-year business plan, especially  young people who would be ready to put themselves to the test in the more than 50 countries where the group is present. It is for this reason that Salini emphasized the importance of investing in education.

Pietro Salini highlighted projects like the expansion of the Panama Canal and the construction of the GERD dam in Ethiopia as unique cases in the world of engineering. He said Italy invested too little in its own infrastructure – only 2% of GDP – compared with other countries that are forging ahead with big public works.   

Pietro Salini confirmed Italy's need for infrastructure to foster development and employment as well as bring its northern and southern regions closer together because they still remained distant in terms of opportunity. One example cited was the Messina Bridge, which could have reinforced Italy's role as a Mediterranean hub rather than Rotterdam. Salini also cited better management of essential resources like water and the handling of waste.

"I hope that Italian companies in the construction sector can do more in Italy," he said. "We have looked elsewhere for opportunities after not finding anything in Italy. But for our competitors in the infrastructure sector, domestic activity represents 50-60% of the total, much more than the 10% at Salini," he said. "Our heart beats in the country even though we are a global company. There is a fundamental value about being Italian in terms of our ability to do things as well as the experience in construction inherited from the ancient Romans" who inspire us.

"Our greatest strength comes from being able to make things that are useful for people. Bringing water to those who don't have it and reducing the mortality rate in countries where we are present," he said.

"We must never stop" he added, reiterating that the group is always looking to develop at the global level,  Italy included.