Page 23 - Investing in Bergamo EN

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THE DRIVER OF INNOVATION,
WHERE EMPLOYMENT GROWS

Exporting activities were not the only activities able to respond to the new global
competition and crisis, but also activities that bring a high level of innovation to
products and processes. In the last five years, medium to high-tech industries have in
fact not only increased turnover but also – slightly – employment. Today, they represent
one-third (33.6%) of the manufacturing industry. It still lags behind the strongest areas
of the world, but the gap is closing gradually. The medium-term trend is very positive:
employment grew by 7.3% in 2001, accompanied by a 36% increase in innovative and
technological services. Overall, employment in the economy of knowledge increased by
22.6%.
The OECD database on certified innovation (patents per million inhabitants in 1,618
areas of developed countries) showed that Bergamo ranks near the bottom of the
first quartile with 82 patents, and falls within the first two hundred places for absolute
increase in the last 10 years. The medium-term goal is to double the number of patents
with the strengthening of the growth rate, which has a very positive trend, especially
since it was achieved in a period of crisis and during a stage in which much of the
industry of knowledge was concentrated.
Bergamo has a specialisation in research and manufacturing for the health industry.
It is part of Italy’s largest health and medical cluster. In 2015, the OECD identified
three research centres of excellence in this field: the Hospital of Papa Giovanni XXIII, the
Mario Negri Institute and the University.
The last two are situated in the “Kilometro Rosso” technology park (designed by
Jean Nouvel) near the motorway exit of Bergamo. It houses the i.lab (designed by
Richard Meier), which is Italcementi’s research centre focusing on new materials. The
Chamber of Commerce has activated “Point” which is progressively becoming a start-
up incubator for the adjacent University of Engineering.
Research with direct manufacturing applications is integrated in the “smart factory”
(the national and regional clusters are managed by businessmen of Bergamo) with
special focus on Mechatronics (Intellimech Consortium).
Confindustria Bergamo was the coordinator of an EU research project. Last year, it
provided support to members participating in 20 European projects, which is part of
a project on innovative start-ups called Adott’Up, and for some years now, its Young
Entrepreneur’s Group has been promoting the Start Cup for new businesses in Bergamo.
Finally, through its subsidiary, Servizi Confindustria Bergamo, it provides advice in the
field of innovative and technological services.
The central role of knowledge and research is testified by Bergamo Scienza, a two-
week festival aimed primarily at young people, which has now spread beyond the local
area. For 13 editions, this festival has been spreading scientific knowledge dedicated,
among other things, to the contamination between science, creativity and quality of
life. Bergamo Scienza is present at EXPO 2015 together with similar initiatives in other
territories.