FOREIGN INVESTMENT ATTRACTION AND NEW BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES: PIEMONTE’S WINNING COMBINATION AT MIPIM IN CANNES

Over 7 million square meters of areas and properties spread across Piemonte represent a great opportunity for foreign investors at the event. The international reach of the Piemonte’s supply chain of the Integrated Supply Chain Project "Cleantech & Green Building" is also showcased, with references in over 110 countries and more than 50 projects.
Piemonte Regional Government and the City of Torino received the Financial Times award, “European Cities and Regions of the Future Ranking Awards.” The 27 foreign direct investment projects assisted in 2024, the best result in the last 20 years, could potentially generate 4 billion euros in investments in the area over the coming years.

Turin, March 11 2025 – From today until March 14, Piemonte, returns to MIPIM in Cannes, the international event that drives the transformation of the real estate sector. This unique appointment attracts innovation, investments and new business opportunities, showcasing cutting-edge urban development projects in preview.
Piemonte’s participation at MIPIM is organized by Piemonte Agency as part of the Investment Attraction Project promoted by the Regione Piemonte (Regional Government) and by all the Piemonte Chambers of Commerce as well as withing the “Cleantech & Green Building” Integrated Supply Chain Project promoted by Regione Piemonte and funded by the PR FESR 2021-2027.

This morning, on the opening day of the event, Piemonte marked its presence at MIPIM by attending the “European Cities and Regions of the Future Ranking Awards.” During this event, the region received the award confirming its place among the top ten in the Financial Times rankings, securing the 6th place in the “Large European Regions – Foreign Investment Attraction Strategy” category. The recognition was published and disseminated by the international magazine fDi Intelligence, a section dedicated to direct investments by the Financial Times. At the same event, the city of Torino was awarded for the first time as the 6th largest European city for the best foreign investment attraction strategy.

In recent years, Piemonte has established itself as an increasingly attractive destination for foreign investors. This is confirmed by Ernst & Young which, in the Attractiveness Survey Italy 2024, recognized Piemonte as the second Italian region for the number of foreign investments, thanks to its strategic position and tothe presence of some of the most competitive industrial districts on the international stage. The data, processed by Piemonte Agency, shows significant growth: while between 2014 and 2020 the average annual number of foreign direct investment (FDI) projects initiated or announced in Piemonte was 7.7, in the 2021-2024 period it increased to 22.7, with a peak of 27 projects in the last year. In fact, this represents the best result in the past 20 years, potentially generating 4 billion € in investments in the area over the coming years. Notable investments in recent years include: Silicon Box, Amazon, MSC Technology, Bulgari (LVMH), Cartier, Coca-Cola, FedEx, Aixtron, and Luxoft. Additionally, foreign industrial companies in Piemonte lead the region to second place in Italy for the number of employees and value-added production (source: TEHA Group).

The region stands out in the Italian context for the presence of foreign-controlled companies, which include more than 4,000 local units, 150,000 employees, 12 billion € in added value, accounting for 18% of the regional total, and a turnover of 46 billion €, approximately 20% of the regional total (source: Confindustria-Luiss). In more detail, according to Observer, the observatory on multinationals in Piemonte, the leading countries of origin are France (19.78%), Germany (15.81%), the United States (13.49%), Switzerland (8.36%) and the United Kingdom (6.79%). Of those with legal headquarters in the region, 65.99% are located in the province of Torino, followed by Cuneo (10.43%) and Novara (8.94%). Of these, 37.33% operate in manufacturing, 25.33% in trade and 8.53% in scientific and technical activities.

Confirming Piemonte’s growing role on the international stage are Piemonte Agency’s figures within the Investment Attraction Project promoted by the Regione Piemonte (Regional Government) and by all the Piemonte Chambers of Commerce showing that over the last two years, 440 foreign companies have been engaged and expressed interest in investing in the region. Of these dossiers, 230 were assisted in the phases of business planning, business setup, location identification, incentives and other post-settlement needs (aftercare). In 2024, the top 5 countries of origin of foreign companies contacted by Piemonte Agency were the United Kingdom (15.4%), Germany (11.7%), the United States (10.4%), France (9.3%), and Canada (5.4%), while the top 5 investment sectors were Real Estate (17.8%), Automotive & Transportation (15.7%), Aerospace (14.3%), Health and Wellness (11.3%) and ICT (9.8%). The top 3 Piemonte provinces evaluated for settlement were Torino (49.3%), Alessandria (8.3%) and Novara (6.5%).

In this edition, 55 areas and properties from across Piemonte collected in a database by the Regione Piemonte are showcased at MIPIM: 4 million square meters of brownfield (already developed) and greenfield (vacant areas open to any type of transformation) sites, available for investment from both new entrepreneurial ventures entering the regional market and existing businesses looking to expand their premises with a focus on recovery and reuse, aligning with efforts to reduce land consumption. In addition to these areas, Piemonte Agency, through the Partner Program on Real Estate developed as part of the Investment Attraction Project, has selected 15 additional opportunities related to four specific asset classes: hospitality, student housing, senior, medical and assisted living, and logistics. Visitors to the exhibition area can also explore the digital platform of Torino Urban Lab, which highlights the transformation processes of Torino and its metropolitan area, focusing on 188 projects. Another significant urban development opportunity in Torino presented at MIPIM relates to the Ferrovie dello Stato Group's Urban Hub areas located in the region, including Torin Porta Susa Spina 2, Torino Lingotto FS Stazione Ponte and other areas in Piemonte municipalities. Altogether a total of over 7 million square meters showcased at MIPIM.

The Piemonte entrepreneurial ecosystem for real estate is also present at MIPIM: 21 companies from the Integrated Supply Chain Project “Cleantech & Green Building” - designed to promote the region's SMEs abroad - are presenting services, products and technologies for the real estate and construction sectors, with a particular focus on sustainable construction. Among them, the architecture firm TRA_Toussaint Robiglio Architetti was selected as one of the 4 finalists for the MIPIM Awards in the "Best Cultural, Sports & Education Project" category, for the development of the new ESCP Business School headquarters in Torino (developer BNL BNP PARIBAS), with interiors designed by G*AA Giaquinto Architetti Associati.

A b2b agenda is also planned for the participating companies and foreign operators, aimed at developing collaborations on international projects. Architects, developers, and technology integrators already working in foreign markets will present the 'Made in Piemonte' expertise: from urban intervention design, feasibility studies, architecture, design, and engineering services to sustainable construction solutions, high-quality building products, materials, and components, as well as innovative technologies aimed at managing buildings more efficiently with a lower environmental impact.

At MIPIM, the database showcasing the international references of Piedmontese companies of the “Cleantech & Green Building” Project sector is also presented, along with a series of overseas projects where these companies have participated as suppliers. The mapping highlights the high internationalization of the Piemonte’s supply chain, which includes references in over 110 countries across all five continents and showcases around 50 projects in 28 different countries, where regional companies have contributed with their expertise, services, products, and technologies. All relevant asset classes are represented: from residential and commercial to education and hospitality, highlighting the extreme versatility of the Piemonte’s supply chain.

MIPIM is a unique opportunity to align with market and sector trends, gain access to major real estate development projects, and meet key decision-makers in the industry: every year, more than 20,000 visitors and over 2,400 exhibitors from more than 80 countries participate, offering a privileged ecosystem where operators can meet, develop investment projects, raise funds, and initiate collaborations. This is therefore an annual event that Piemonte cannot miss in order to present investment opportunities and the project capabilities of the regional entrepreneurial system in terms of construction, territorial, urban and real estate development.

“The participation of Piemonte at MIPIM in Cannes is a concrete opportunity to present to the main international investors the opportunities our territory can offer. The recognition received in the Financial Times ranking attests the value of our development and promotion strategy, which focuses on innovation, sustainability and economic growth. We offer investors a dynamic ecosystem and a portfolio of unique opportunities, aiming to generate tangible outcomes in terms of employment, urban regeneration and sustainable development. Piemonte is today one of the most attractive large regions in Europe: we want to continue creating the best conditions, focusing on infrastructure, innovation and administrative simplification to make our economic system increasingly competitive,” says Alberto Cirio, President of the Piedmont Region and Andrea Tronzano, Regional Minister for Productive Activities.

“Torino and Piemonte have enormous potential when it comes to attractiveness for those choosing to invest and do business,” says Stefano Lo Russo, Mayor of Torino. “The award received this morning at MIPIM in Cannes, within the "European Cities and Regions of the Future Ranking Awards" event, certifying Torion’s place for the first time in the top ten of the most attractive cities for foreign investment, further confirms that we are on the right track. Our territory has all the characteristics to host companies that aim to grow, offering a unique social and entrepreneurial fabric where it is possible to integrate and network, looking to the future and seizing new opportunities.”

“Our participation at MIPIM in Cannes marks a crucial moment for Piemonte. The primary goal is to catalyse new investments in the real estate sector, leveraging the recognition received as the sixth best European region for foreign investment attraction strategy. This award not only makes us proud but strengthens our commitment to intensifying our efforts. The strategic investments, both human and economic, made by all the regional Chambers of Commerce have already produced tangible results. In collaboration with Regione Piemonte and Piemonte Agency, we will continue to promote a favourable investment environment to position our region optimally in the global economic context. Today's event represents a privileged platform to attract investments, promote innovative urban development projects and consolidate Piemonte's reputation also in the real estate sector,” comments Gian Paolo Coscia, President of Unioncamere Piemonte.

“Our presence at MIPIM is renewed again this year with a complete catalogue of opportunities for investors and companies presented by several local entities speaking with one voice,” explains Dario Gallina, President of the Torin Chamber of Commerce. “We are showcasing Piemonte and Torino, presenting around fifty areas and properties immediately available across the regional territory, numerous projects, as well as investment opportunities in the city and metropolitan area, thanks to our collaboration with Torino Urban Lab. Most importantly, we are showcasing the excellence of our companies, which stand out for their strong internationalization orientation and which they will seize this important opportunity to engage with foreign operators present at MIPIM.”

“Real estate continues to be a strategic sector for investment attraction in Piemonte, representing the leading area of interest with over 17% of the cases intercepted by our team,” says Dario Peirone, President of Piemonte Agency. “MIPIM in Cannes is therefore a crucial event in the strategy Piemonte Agency is carrying out with Regione Piemonte and all the Piemonte Chambers of Commerce to strengthen the positioning of our territory on the international stage. We are here with a dual objective: to attract new investors and to support the 21 Piemonte participating companies to seize new business opportunities. This year, we are presenting the database that collects the international references of our companies, proving their competitiveness and ability to establish themselves in foreign markets.”

The companies of the Integrated Supply Chain Project “Cleantech & Green Building” at MIPIM 2025

1. 2016AD AMODEI DE MARCO ARCHITETTURA&DESIGN - www.2016ad.it
2. ALBERTO NADA ARCHITETTO - www.studiodnaprogetti.com
3. ARCHILANDSTUDIO - www.archilandstudio.com
4. ARCHITECTURAL SOLUTIONS - www.architecturalsolutions.eu
5. BASE ENGINEERING - www.baseengineering.it
6. BRAINSDIGITAL - www.brainsdigital.it
7. CAMERANA BENEDETTO - www.camerana.com
8. DE LEO & DRASNAR - www.deleodrasnar.com
9. FERREROLEGNO - www.ferrerolegno.com
10. GAA - www.giaquintoitalianarchitect.com
11. GEFIM - www.gefim.it
12. MATTIODA PIERINO & FIGLI - www.mattioda.it
13. NORBERTO VAIRANO - www.architettovairano.it
14. PAT - www.patdesign.it
15. RAUM ENGINEERING - www.raum-engineering.com
16. SERTEC ENGINEERING CONSULTING - www.sertec-engineering.com
17. SIMONE DE STASIO ARCHITETTURA - www.simonedestasio.com
18. TISESSANTUNO ASSOCIATI - www.t61.it
19. TRA - www.tra.to.it
20. ULTRASPAZIO - www.ultraspazio.com
21. UTWIN - www.utwin.it