Presentation

In this year’s regional statistical report the concept of the path towards growth is the leitmotif of all the themes that are discussed and analysed.
In my opinion the image of the “path” is particularly suitable for describing the historical moment that we are facing: in fact the word path brings a journey to mind and indicates both the stretch of road to cover in order to achieve a goal and the act of walking towards the destination.
It is undeniable that the global financial crisis places us on a path particularly fraught with difficulties and dangers, in which the topics of business and work are greatly affected.
For this reason, it is even more necessary to promote those dynamic growth factors of the Veneto system which are more able to accompany us on our journey towards the objectives of excellence.
In this sense, the greater strategic potentialities of development can be seized in the enhancement of the very concept of “Made in Veneto”, intended as a synonym of quality, innovation and reliability that constitutes an important asset for the whole community. For example, we can consider the extraordinary and growing success in quantitative and economic terms of the exports of our food and wine specialities, especially towards emerging markets.
The paths leading to development can be numerous and developed along different routes by the stakeholders of various social and economic contexts, and the purpose of this report is to offer an overall perspective of the current situation to glimpse the future settings and prepare for these, or in fact build them from the foundations.
If, as Leonardo da Vinci said “he who walks straight rarely falls” I am confident that a region such as Veneto, which has already travelled may paths alone, will also know how to tackle the stretch awaiting them with determination and success.

Luca Zaia
Chairman of the Veneto Region

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Now in its eleventh edition, in perfect continuity with the analyses of last year's volume, dedicated to transformation, the regional statistics report again provides us with the image of a Veneto in motion: a region that is not waiting statically for events to happen but prepares to face them and often finds new resources and new paths to reinvent itself and innovate.
In fact, the structural and economic dynamics of the sectors of regional interest as found in the report demonstrate that Veneto is able to branch out harmoniously and seamlessly from its traditional strong points (quality manufacture above all) to explore new and promising areas of development.
In particular, it is really excellence, intended as a constant push towards improvement and competition in order to create the most effective drive for development in a context of international crisis, where Veneto suffers less than other similar national situations.
From this point of view, as Councillor for Culture, I can only emphasise the close connection of this topic with that of tourism and the added value in economic terms that this synergy determines: I’m referring in particular to the growth of tourism in our cities of art and the grand international opening of our tourism destinations, demonstrated by the fact that two thirds of the tourists in Veneto are foreigners.
Again the reading of the report highlights that the cultural, urban and landscape assets of the territory, if used with the right entrepreneurial intelligence (and I refer first of all to the theme of smart cities), represent a great opportunity for economic development.
Therefore, if Veneto is in motion the statistical report represents a necessary, objective and accessible topography of the risks and opportunities that await us in the forthcoming years.

Marino Zorzato
Vice Chairman and Councillor for the Territory, Culture, Statistics and General Affairs of the Veneto Region

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2014 represents a year of change in several respects for all levels of public governance and therefore also for the Regional Administration, as it indicates the launching of the new cycle of the European cohesion policy, intended to be completed in 2020, which should be applied at various territorial levels (EU, States, Regions) in order to maximise the impact on the key sectors of growth and employment.
In fact, in a socio-economic context that struggles to emerge from the profound global crisis that grips it, although the first indications of recovery are glimpsed, it is fundamental to know how to plan the future with long-sightedness and determination.
Veneto has long been aware of the importance of acting within the boundaries of clear and comprehensive planning in correspondence with the European and national framework and to pursue their objectives using efficient tools.
In this sense the statistics constitute a technical aid of strategic importance as they allow to oversee the entire planned cycle, assessing the starting framework, monitoring the actions in the production stage and finally checking the results; all in the perspective of benchmarking, operating a quantitative and qualitative comparison with the other more developed Italian and European regional areas.
In order to appreciate the economic and structural indications that come from our region, read the Statistical Report – also available in English and in hypertext form on the website of the regional Administration –which represents a useful and up-to-date learning and analysis tool.

Tiziano Baggio
Secretary General of Planning Veneto Region