Italian companies competing internationally are building their strength through innovation, skilled employees, and investment in the future. A 2026 survey of 4,500 businesses highlights how exporting is associated with higher productivity and stronger growth expectations, while identifying approximately 20,000 additional companies with the potential to reach customers beyond Italy’s borders.
The productivity advantage is substantial. When businesses of comparable size, industry, and geographic location are examined, exporters record labor productivity approximately 20% higher than companies serving only the domestic market. The analysis also identifies a productivity increase of around 6% when businesses begin operating abroad compared with their previous domestic activity.
