DOMINAE-SPONSORED DISCUSSION HELD IN THE SENATE: “MADE IN ITALY” TAKES CENTER STAGE GLOBALLY THROUGH BUSINESSES AND FEMALE LEADERSHIP.
“Made in Italy” returns to the forefront of institutional debate as a strategic lever for growth and global positioning.
This is the core of the conference “Women and Business. Internationalization of SMEs for the Future of Made in Italy”, organized by DOMINAE – Association of Women of Made in Italy Worldwide, which took place in recent days at the Sala dell’Istituto di Santa Maria in Aquiro in the Senate of the Republic, on the initiative of Senator Marco Scurria.
An event that represented not only an opportunity for discussion but a true platform for envisioning the future of Italian excellence in the world, highlighting the decisive contribution of women entrepreneurs in spreading the values, quality, and identity of Made in Italy in international markets.
Opening the proceedings, Sen. Marco Scurria emphasized the strategic value of storytelling and the presence of women in the Italian production system:
“By telling their own stories—about themselves, their businesses, and Italy—women generate real value built on trust, relationships, and vision. Our nation’s growth also depends on this: it is not just about equity, but about competitiveness, innovation, and the future.”
In her remarks, Fabiana Romano, President and founder of DOMINAE, painted a clear and significant picture:
over 1.3 million women-led businesses in Italy, accounting for 22% of the total, with significant growth in corporations (+45% since 2014) and an increasingly influential presence in the sectors that symbolize Made in Italy—from fashion to agri-food, from design to sustainability.
This data highlights how Made in Italy is not just a brand, but a living, dynamic system in which women play an increasingly central role in bringing quality, culture, and innovation beyond national borders.
“DOMINAE is an operational network that transforms resilience into a competitive advantage. In a world that builds walls, we build human bridges and alliances founded on trust, supporting companies in international markets with concrete tools,” stated Romano, emphasizing the value of relationships as a strategic asset for internationalization.
The discussion took on an international dimension thanks to the contribution of the Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia, Mirjana Jeremic, who highlighted how women’s leadership represents a key factor in economic development even in emerging contexts, opening up new opportunities for cooperation and exchange.
On the operational level, Manuela Traldi, Esq., President of the Italian-Azerbaijani Chamber of Commerce, reiterated that internationalization is now an essential driver for the growth of Made in Italy, highlighting the strategic role of emerging markets and the need to build solid, lasting relationships.
Reinforcing this vision, Tiziana Pompei, Deputy Secretary General of Unioncamere, highlighted the importance of institutional support and the network of Chambers of Commerce abroad, noting that the quality of Italian women entrepreneurship represents a competitive advantage that has not yet been fully realized in international markets.
Among the identified levers: training, access to data, strengthening of skills, and the development of structured networks, in addition to gender equality certification as a tool capable of increasing the credibility and attractiveness of Italian companies worldwide.
The value of relationships and local communities was also reiterated by Giovanni Giugliano, Deputy Director of Confagricoltura Salerno, while Romina Nicoletti, President of the Associazione Italian Delegation Made in Italy, offered a practical perspective on supporting SMEs abroad, highlighting the effectiveness of flexible models such as temporary export management.
The entrepreneurs’ testimonials reflected the authentic strength of Made in Italy: Alessia Antinori described a model capable of combining tradition with an international vision; Benedetta Bruzziches stressed the importance of supporting local manufacturing businesses; Monica Zoli highlighted the value of human capital; Valentina Tepedino shone a spotlight on less visible supply chains; Rossella Spatola highlighted the role of training and product culture in strengthening global positioning.
A clear vision emerged from the discussion: Made in Italy grows and establishes itself globally when it successfully combines identity, quality, and relationships. In this scenario, female leadership proves to be a distinctive element, capable of generating trust, building lasting connections, and interpreting the value of Italian excellence in a contemporary way.
The event thus strongly reaffirmed that the future of Made in Italy depends on an integrated approach, in which innovation, expertise, and international vision intertwine with a corporate culture founded on authenticity and relational skills: a heritage that makes Italy recognizable and competitive in the world.
