December 2003

The web is a rich vein for data miners seeking enlightenment on Italian industry, research and innovation. We scratch its surface.
The Italian EU presidency runs until the New Year, and the customary dedicated site on CORDIS by now contains a wealth of material. All the news relating to competitiveness, including industry and research, is at www.ueitalia2003.it/EN/Temi/competitivita

The Ministry of Productive Activities (www.minindustria.it) broadcasts news of regulations and calls for tender as well as covering sectors such as tourism and energy. Its home page also links to all sorts of useful external sites, including the Citizen’s Portal, www.italia.gov.it

www.miur.it is the address of the Ministry for Education, Universities and Research, the home of all manner of research-related information, including pending legislation, publications and a directory of research institutes.

You can find out what drove the creators of the invitation-only MATAP (manufacturing technology action plan) conference, which took place in Milan on 1-2 December, at http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/industrial_technologies/pdf/ emo-7bbackground-1.pdf

At www.ipi.it, the IPI (Istituto di Promozione Industriale or Institute for Industrial Promotion) stores a vast array of information on grants and aids for businesses.

The manufacturing employer’s organisation, Confindustria, is at www.confindustria.it, which offers policy papers and news as well as links to a myriad of specialist trade associations.