business start up opportunities

Associazione Industriali Province della Sardegna Meridionale Cagliari, Carbonia-Iglesias e Medio Campidano CONFINDUSTRIA BUSINESS START-UP OPPORTUNITIES IN THE SOUTHERN SARDINIAN PROVINCES Realizzato con il contributo del Fondo Speciale L.R. 37/98, art. 8 in gestione speciale presso SFIRS S.p.A. Associazione Industriali Province della Sardegna Meridionale Cagliari, Carbonia-Iglesias e Medio Campidano CONFINDUSTRIA Si ringraziano l’Assessorato dell’Industria della Regione Sardegna, l’Osservatorio Economico ed il Casic per la disponibilità delle mappe. Finito di stampare nel maggio 2006 presso le Arti grafiche Pisano di Cagliari 2 BUSINESS START-UP OPPORTUNITIES IN THE SOUTHERN SARDINIAN PROVINCES INDEX INTRODUCTION INFRASTRUCTURE OF PRODUCTION LOCATIONS Industrial Areas Macchiareddu Sarroch Elmas Portovesme Iglesias Villacidro Isili Production Start-up Plans (PIP) Advantages of business start-up opportunities TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE Industrial Port of Cagliari An advanced logistics platform in the centre of the Mediterranean Duty free zone Cagliari Airport - Elmas RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE Polaris, Sardinia’s Scientific and Technological Park Partners of Polaris CNR – National Research Council Other public research centres Public-private partnerships QUALITY OF LABOUR SUPPLY: EDUCATION, PROFESSIONAL AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING University Professional and Vocational Training INCENTIVES SYSTEM QUALITY OF LIFE Environmental situation Security SUMMARY OF ADVANTAGES AND OPPORTUNITIES OFFERED BY THE AREA p. p. p. p. p. p. p. p. p. p. p. p. p. p. p. p. p. p. p. p. 5 7 7 8 8 9 11 12 13 15 15 17 17 17 18 19 21 21 24 25 p. p. p. p. p. p. 26 28 29 30 30 31 3 BUSINESS START-UP OPPORTUNITIES IN THE SOUTHERN SARDINIAN PROVINCES 4 INTRODUCTION The present work has been created to provide a guide to entrepreneurs interested in locating new investments in the area of Southern Sardinia. It is intended as an easy instrument to use to assess the region and the competitive advantages it offers. The knowledge that geographical location can be one of the factors influencing a business’s competitiveness means that an accurate analysis of the distinctive qualities of the start-up opportunities in the three Southern Sardinian provinces: Cagliari, Carbonia-Iglesias and Medio Campidano is central to this work. Thus making it useful for understanding the characteristics of the region in terms of physical spaces, services, incentives and all those factors which help businesses in the process of setting up. The work is presented in six parts. In the first three parts a description of the material and non-material infrastructures is given; for example, availability of plots for businesses, the infrastructure to support these businesses and specialized production and research centres present in the area. In part four the quality of the labour supply is analysed and the range of professions available is described. Information relative to initial and on-going training is used as part of this analysis. In part five the incentives system is illustrated, while in the last part the quality of life is analysed, with reference to the environmental situation and natural resources. Particular attention is paid to the theme of social well-being. Finally, the strong points and development opportunities offered by the region, the provinces of Cagliari, Carbonia-Iglesias and Medio Campidano, are summarized and listed in a table. 5 BUSINESS START-UP OPPORTUNITIES IN THE SOUTHERN SARDINIAN PROVINCES Ae ro po r to Porto 6 INFRASTRUCTURE OF PRODUCTION LOCATIONS Industrial Areas MACCHIAREDDU The industrial area of Macchiareddu is situated just a few kilometres from Cagliari and from the island’s main transport infrastructure (Table 1). It covers an area of over 8,200 hectares, 3,700 of which are set aside for production activities. CONNECTIONS Industrial transhipment port (Cagliari) Cagliari Railway Station Cagliari Centre S.S. 131 Carlo Felice (main dual-carriageway linking north and south Sardinia) (table1) 0 km 2 km 2 km 7 km 8 km Cagliari Airport (Elmas) The lots aimed at industrial developments are on level ground, free from seismic activity, with an average load bearing capacity of over 2kg/cm². The area enjoys a mild, temperate climate and has a favourable situation as regards the prevailing winds, which help to disperse possible smoke and emissions from industries located there into the atmosphere. Specialist production activities in the area include the following sectors in particular: ITC (Information and Communication Technology), mechanical, chemical, oil and metallurgical industries. The numerous businesses in the area however, make Macchiareddu a modern, multifaceted industrial centre. CASIC is the administrative body for Cagliari’s Industrial Development Area, which consists of three agglomerations: Elmas, Macchiareddu and Sarroch. Its service centre (15 hectares) provides the following services: a 270seat conference hall equipped with simultaneous translation facilities, an 80-seat seminar hall, a bar, an inter-company canteen, banking facilities and a cash-point machine, a post office, consortium car parks and a multi-functional sports centre. Further technical and support services for companies are planned: scientific and research laboratories, centres for environmental studies and research, industrial, chemical and product analyses and business incubation through the leasing of industrial incubators. These incubators are functional instruments for companies intending to set up new establishments or develop research. They are situated in Macchiareddu and are made up of highly technological and research oriented modular “units” which are rented out to companies for the incubation period of their activity. The “unit” offer includes the supply of logistical services at competitive prices thus allowing initial start-up costs for businesses to be considerably lowered. The rent contract can be stipulated according to business needs and can be renewed for periods varying from six months to six years. The following services are also provided: • public security services; • fire service; • goods transportation; • collective transport; • internal road network; • long-distance industrial power lines; • electricity network; • telephone network; 7 BUSINESS START-UP OPPORTUNITIES IN THE SOUTHERN SARDINIAN PROVINCES • water purification plant; • drinking water network; • industrial water network; • refuse collection; • rubbish dump; • fuel outlet; • coastal petrochemical storage; • transhipment port. Furthermore, in the Macchiareddu area there is an environmental section, covering an area of 18 hectares, made up of a purification plant for the treatment of domestic water, industrial water, mixed waters and mud, an incinerator for the disposal of solid urban waste, specific solid waste, industrial waste (solid and liquid) and mud and a plant for the disposal of toxic and harmful waste which uses chemical/physical procedures to make these substances inert. SARROCH The industrial area of Sarroch is situated just over 20 km from Cagliari, near the island’s main transport infrastructure (Table 2). It covers an area of nearly 750 hectares, 450 of which are set aside for production activities. CONNECTIONS Industrial transhipment port (Cagliari) Cagliari Railway station Cagliari Centre S.S. 131 Carlo Felice Cagliari Airport (Elmas) (table 2) 25 km 26 km 26 km 28 km 30 km In this case too, lots set aside for industrial developments are on level ground, free from seismic activity, with an average load bearing capacity of over 2kg/cm². The climate is mild and temperate and the area’s location is favourable as regards the prevailing winds, which help to disperse possible smoke and emissions from industries located there into the atmosphere. Sarroch industrial area specializes mainly in chemical and petrochemical activities (oil industry), plant engineering, building and working and manufacturing metal products. The area’s infrastructure provides: • security services; • fire service; • goods transportation; • collective transport; • internal road network; • long-distance industrial power lines; • coastal petrochemical storage; • electricity network; • telephone network; • water purification plant; ELMAS The Elmas industrial area is situated adjacent to Cagliari airport (Elmas), just a few kilometres away from the capital (Table 3). It covers an area of more than 260 hectares, 170 of which have been set aside for production activities and nearly all of which is taken up by small businesses and service industries. • drinking water network; • industrial water network; • white water sewage system; • grey water sewage system; • effluent purifying plant; • fuel outlet; • refuse collection; • rubbish dump; • technological services centre; • scientific and research laboratories. 8 BUSINESS START-UP OPPORTUNITIES IN THE SOUTHERN SARDINIAN PROVINCES CONNECTIONS Cagliari Airport Elmas Elmas Railway Station Cagliari Railway Station Cagliari Centre S.S.131 Carlo Felice Industrial transhipment port Cagliari (table 3) 0 km 1 km 2 km 2 km 4 km 7 km The lots are on level ground and are free from seismic activity, with an average load bearing capacity of over 2kg/cm². The area enjoys a mild, temperate climate and has a favourable situation as regards the prevailing winds, which help to disperse possible smoke and emissions from industries located there into the atmosphere. The companies present in Elmas operate mainly in the agro-industrial, mechanical, metallurgical, textile, manufacturing, commercial and service sectors. As well as this, there is an area set aside for businesses operating in the ITC (Information and Communication Technology) sector and those carrying out research and development activities (area services and research-related activities zone). The area infrastructure includes: • internal road network; • postal service; • cash-point machine; • long distance industrial power lines; • electricity network; • telephone services; • water purification plant; • drinking water network; PORTOVESME The industrial area of Portovesme is situated on the western coast of Southern Sardinia and is just a few kilometres from Iglesias, (table 4). It covers an area of over 700 hectares, 500 of which are set aside for production activities. CONNECTIONS Portovesme Industrial Port Iglesias Railway Station Iglesias Centre Carbonia Railway Station S.S. 131 Carlo Felice Cagliari Airport Elmas Industrial transhipment port Cagliari (table 4) • industrial water network; • grey water drainage/sewage system; • effluent purifying plant; • refuse collection; • rubbish dump; • fuel outlet; • security services. 1 km 14 km 14 km 20 km 66 km 72 km 78 km Portovesme is one of Sardinia’s principal industrial areas. It owes its importance to the specialized production activities present there, in particular to the production of metal-based products especially from aluminium, from zinc, copper and cadmium and the production of electricity. It is probably the area with the highest density of primary industries in Sardinia. 9 BUSINESS START-UP OPPORTUNITIES IN THE SOUTHERN SARDINIAN PROVINCES S.P. 82 S.S. 130 S.S. 131 PORTOSCUSO AREA INDUSTRIALE PORTOVESME The infrastructure provides: • primary electricity substation; • control and goods sampling; • air pollutant purification; • conference centre (organisation and services); • inland revenue offices – customs offices harbour offices; • purification plant; • water purification plant; • scientific and research laboratories; • testing and certifying laboratories; • area maintenance; • industrial and technical maintenance; • inter-company canteen; • industrial assemblage service; • consortium car parks; • cleaning service; • refuse collection; • various industrial recovery and reclaiming services; • schools and professional training centres; • security service; • environmental studies and research association; • banking facilities; • multi-functional sports centre; • collective transport; • goods transportation. 10 BUSINESS START-UP OPPORTUNITIES IN THE SOUTHERN SARDINIAN PROVINCES IGLESIAS The industrial area of Iglesias, situated a few kilometres from the town of Iglesias (Table 5), covers an area of almost 200 hectares, 100 of which are set aside for industrial activities. CONNECTIONS Iglesias railway station Portovesme industrial port S.S. 131 Carlo Felice Cagliari airport (Elmas) Industrial transhipment port Cagliari Cagliari Centre (table 5) 3 km 20 km 49 km 50 km 55 km 57 km IGLESIAS S.P. 126 LIAR CAG I S.S. 130 AREA INDUSTRIALE IGLESIAS S.P. 86 11 BUSINESS START-UP OPPORTUNITIES IN THE SOUTHERN SARDINIAN PROVINCES Economic activities prevalent in this area include the production and working of metal products, the wood industry and products made of wood and cork, various manufacturing activities and wholesale retailing. The area is run by a consortium created to maximise use of the area’s resources. It aims to introduce more industrialization processes, create infrastructure and systems works for land and developments and carry out maintenance of existing structures. It works together with business associations to offer services and promote activities and initiatives, as well as aiming to develop policies and professional training. Moreover, this body can acquire shares in existing companies in the area, to create new industries, consolidate existing ones and provide industrial services. The infrastructure provides: • primary electricity substation; • industrial and technical maintenance; • industrial assemblage service; • manoeuvring spaces for heavy vehicles; VILLACIDRO The industrial zone of Villacidro is excellently linked by road and rail networks to Sardinia’s most important centres, to the industrial ports of Cagliari and Oristano and to Cagliari (Elmas) airport (table 6). CONNECTIONS San Gavino railway station S.S. 131 Carlo Felice Cagliari airport (Elmas) Industrial transhipment port Cagliari (table 6) • collective transport; • serviced green spaces; • natural green spaces. 11 km 19 km 42 km 48 km The industrial zone covers an area of 580 hectares, 350 of which are set aside for production activities and completely divided into lots. It boasts primary infrastructures such as a purification plant, integrated with the old sewage works which uses biological oxidisation and aerobic mud-digestion processes to treat liquid industrial refuse from the area and civil refuse from bordering municipalities. It has a receptive capacity of 800m³/hour. The plant has recently been enlarged with another section for anaerobic mud digestion allowing biogas to be recovered and used for the production of electricity and hot water. A denitrification section for incoming effluent has also been built. As well as this, there is a waste treatment plant in the area which treats specific urban waste and urban refuse from the industrial area and neighbouring areas, at a total capacity of about 120 ton/g for solid waste and 35 ton/g for mud. The plant includes a section for compost with a capacity of 20 ton/g, from a controlled dump of an initial volume of around 500,000m³. The infrastructure and services provided are: • road network; • sewerage network for ground/storm water; • sewerage network for industrial effluent; • medium and high tension electricity distribution network; • telephone network and centre; • railway line connecting the area with Sanluri state railway station (FFSS national line station). 12 BUSINESS START-UP OPPORTUNITIES IN THE SOUTHERN SARDINIAN PROVINCES S.P. 61 SASSARI S.S. 131 CAGLIARI AREA INDUSTRIALE VILLACIDRO VILLACIDRO In the multi-purpose Service Centre, the following services are provided: the consortium offices, banking facilities, a local branch of the Regional Agency (Catasto) and a conference centre with a 100-seat conference hall and an exhibition hall. As well as this, the consortium running the area has set up a mutual association, employing many highly-qualified experts, thus ensuring that the technological works are managed excellently; that they are efficient, economically compatible and in harmony with the environment. The consortium is presently expanding and is working towards the creation of a commercial zone which will enlarge the current area and favour development in this sector. In line with the Consortium’s policies on social integration, the creation of an area dedicated to sports facilities and leisure time services is being planned. ISILI The “Perd’e Cuaddu” industrial area is situated in the municipality of Isili, in the province of Cagliari. It was created in the 1970s and covers an area of over 160 hectares, 7,000 m² of which can be used for building purposes. The area is subdivided into 84 lots; some of these are already taken up with industrial activities while others are available. The distances from the area to the main transport infrastructure are shown in table 7. Within the area there are zones with distinct functions: a zone for production set-ups with the option of both prefabricated units and frameworks to create these units, as well as completely free lots with a minimum extension of approximately 850 m²; a zone for services, equipment and serviced green spaces; an agricultural zone. 13 BUSINESS START-UP OPPORTUNITIES IN THE SOUTHERN SARDINIAN PROVINCES AREA INDUSTRIALE ISILI OR IST A NO -S AS SA RI S.S 128 ISILI CAG LIA RI The area infrastructure provides the following services: • water network; • sewage network; • primary electricity substation; • purification plant; • drinking water network; • internal road network; • industrial, chemical and product analyses; • data processing centre; • technological services centre; • consultancy services in the following areas: administrative, commercial, labour, management and industrial organization, marketing and market research; • education and professional training. A quality control centre for agro-industrial products and an incubator are also currently being built. The production specializations present in the area belong mainly to the following sectors: agro-industrial, mechanical, plant engineering, rubber and plastic materials. 14 BUSINESS START-UP OPPORTUNITIES IN THE SOUTHERN SARDINIAN PROVINCES CONNECTIONS S.S. 131 Carlo Felice Cagliari Airport Elmas Oristano Industrial Port Industrial transhipment port (Cagliari) Cagliari centre Cagliari railway station Production Start-up Plans (PIP) (table 7) 45 km 74 km 74 km 76 km 79 km 79 km In the Southern Sardinian provinces there are many PIP (production start-up plans) as provided for by law no. 22, 1971. Primary developments present in council plans for incoming businesses are made up of: an internal road network, water supply, water distribution network, sewage network for white waters, sewage networks for grey and mixed waters, street lighting, electricity network, car parks and green spaces. There are 36 municipalities with PIPs: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. Arbus Calasetta Carbonia Donori Escolca Gonnosfanadiga Guasila Guspini Lunamatrona Monastir Nuragus Nuraminis 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. Nurri Ortacesus Pabillonis Portoscuso Samassi Samatzai San Gavino Monreale San Sperate Sant’Antioco Segariu Selargius Senorbì 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. Serramanna Settimo San Pietro Seulo Sinnai Tratalias Ussaramanna Villamar Villamassargia Villanovafranca Villasimius Villasor Villaspeciosa Advantages of business start-up opportunities The fact that start-up opportunities in Cagliari, Carbonia, Iglesias and Medio Campidano are so competitive is due not only to the infrastructure provided and ample availability of environmental services but also to the low costs that these factors imply, highly competitive factors, which can influence a business interested in locating new production investments away from their own region and immediate circle of reference. The serviced areas can generally be purchased in a fairly short space of time and compared to those registered in other Italian provinces they have one of the lowest costs per metre squared (table 8), as well as offering competitive prices for all complementary services: for example, the costs of treating solid urban waste (table 9), solid industrial waste (table 10), and civil and industrial effluent (table 11) are amongst the lowest of all Italian industrial areas. However, the price for water distribution, using their own networks, both for drinking water (table 12) and industrial water (table 13), is on a par with the national average. AREA OF REFERENCE Average sample industrial areas Centre - South Average sample industrial areas North Average industrial areas Southern Sardinia Table 8 – Comparison of average costs for equipped areas COST IN EURO PER M2 15 150 12 15 BUSINESS START-UP OPPORTUNITIES IN THE SOUTHERN SARDINIAN PROVINCES AREA OF REFERENCE Average sample industrial areas Centre - South Average sample industrial areas North Average industrial areas Southern Sardinia Table 9 – Comparison of average costs for treatment of solid urban waste COST IN EURO PER KG 0,11 0,10 0,08 AREA OF REFERENCE Average sample industrial areas Centre - South Average sample industrial areas North Average industrial areas Southern Sardinia Table 10 – Comparison of average costs for treatment of industrial waste COST IN EURO PER KG 0,09 0,11 0,07 AREA OF REFERENCE Average sample industrial areas Centre - South Average sample industrial areas North Average industrial areas Southern Sardinia Table 11 – Comparison of average costs for treatment of civil and industrial effluent COST IN EURO PER M3 0,41 0,45 0,35 AREA OF REFERENCE Average sample industrial areas Centre - South Average sample industrial areas North Average industrial areas Southern Sardinia Table 12 – Comparison of average costs for drinking water COST IN EURO PER M3 0,75 0,63 0,84 AREA OF REFERENCE Average sample industrial areas Centre - South Average sample industrial areas North Average industrial areas Southern Sardinia Table 13 – Comparison of average costs for industrial water COST IN EURO PER M3 0,28 0,33 0,28 16 BUSINESS START-UP OPPORTUNITIES IN THE SOUTHERN SARDINIAN PROVINCES TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE Industrial port of Cagliari An advanced logistics platform in the centre of the Mediterranean The industrial transhipment port of Cagliari deals principally with containerized goods traffic on main world routes: its strategic geographical position as regards Europe, North Africa and Middle Eastern countries (a potential market of nearly 700 million people), the enormous territory it can operate in and the highly technological infrastructure it provides means that Cagliari’s industrial port is a strategic, logistical centre for maritime transport on national and international delivery lines. Easy to reach from all industrial areas – minimum distance 1km, maximum distance 78 km – it has assumed a fundamental role for the island’s economy not least because of the fact that it is so easily accessible to Cagliari’s metropolitan area and to the whole of Sardinia. Cagliari’s international container terminal, a technologically advanced centre for the sorting of containers, caters for the needs of present-day worldwide container traffic: the ever-increasing size of vessels used, ability to comply with modern navigation programmes requiring the following of the best maritime routes; rapid handling of containers and a modern and efficient infrastructure for their distribution. As well as the transhipment terminal, which covers an area of 40 hectares, the industrial port system includes: • A Port Terminal: which covers an area of over 10 hectares. It is here that the following activities take place: ship servicing and repair, goods health inspections, public security services and operational management and the following places are situated: the boat workshop and spare-part warehouse, the maritime health and public security buildings and the piloting and mooring operators’ building. General Services for the transhipment and port terminals: cover an area of almost 30 hectares. It is here that operational management activities are carried out and the following services are situated: goods warehouses, the Customs Authority building, the electricity substation, the service centre, the gate and platform roof with 6 stations and 4 weight bridges, the Port Management building and national and international goods warehouses. Public Authorities and Services: cover an area of over 10 hectares, where service-craft management and Public Authority services are carried out. A basin with a slipway for service-craft repairs, the electricity substation, the fire service, the customs and inland revenues and Port Authority buildings can also be found here. • • The following areas are also being developed: the inter-port (goods transportation by road and rail), areas reserved for productive and commercial operations functional to the port and inter-port, areas for industrial activities and the like associated with maritime traffic, areas for port services and navigational safety facilities and areas reserved for naval activities. Duty Free Zone The duty free zone of Cagliari’s industrial transhipment port was created according to the provisions of 17 BUSINESS START-UP OPPORTUNITIES IN THE SOUTHERN SARDINIAN PROVINCES EEC regulation no. 2913/1992 (Council) and no. 2454/1993 (Commission). It is an area in which noncommunity goods are considered, for the application of importation customs duties, as goods not situated in the customs territory of the European Union, if they are again exported to extra-community countries. Customs duties are collected however, if the goods come into the community’s customs territory. The benefits of the customs duty free zone mainly regard the collection of customs duties, which are deferred for 180 days from the moment the goods leave the duty free zone and enter another European Union country, as well as the working or transformation of goods and products coming from and going to non EU destinations which can be carried out on site remaining exempt from any customs restrictions. Cagliari Airport-Elmas The air transport system in Sardinia boasts a good number of airports which put the island amongst the top positions in national rankings: in 5th place for passenger traffic, 7th place for air traffic and 12th place for goods traffic. In this light, the new air terminal at Cagliari Elmas, opened in June 2003, is the most important in Sardinia as it alone deals with 50% of the island’s entire air traffic. Traffic data, referring to the airport’s recently expanded commercial aviation activities, show that it handled nearly 2.3 million passengers in 2005, a considerable increase compared to the previous year. The airport however is able to handle traffic of up to 4 million passengers per year and is aiming to achieve this goal by 2010. More than 24,000 aircraft made a stop here in 2005, again an increase on the previous year. Presently the airport handles more than 4,000 tons of goods traffic per year. The airport is situated just a few kilometres from Cagliari, in easy reach of all the industrial areas mentioned (minimum distance 1km, maximum distance 72km) and some half million inhabitants of Southern Sardinia. 18 RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE Businesses setting up or already active in the Southern Sardinian provinces can benefit from the support of numerous research centres operating within the territory, or throughout the region, which are easily and directly accessible thanks to local networks. Research activities carried out in university circles will be looked at in the following chapter. POLARIS, Sardinia’s Scientific and Technological Park About 30 km from Cagliari town centre and mere minutes from the well-known tourist resort of Pula, Sardinia’s scientific and technological park, Polaris, has its headquarters. It has four centres and was created to improve business competitiveness favouring the adoption of new product and process technologies, promoting technological and managerial culture within companies and creating new businesses. The following activities are carried out in Pula: A. Services supporting research and development: 1. Support service for the preparation of research projects and identification of sources of funding: Consorzio 21, the body managing Polaris, looks after, on behalf of the Sardinian Regional Council, the branch of the Agency for the Promotion of European Research, through which it is possible to access research programmes and technological innovations financed with EU funds. 2. Information and communication technology services: are organized jointly with CRS4’s laboratories. They provide services, partnerships, scientific and technological skills, advanced equipment and facilities regarding: high performance calculations; parallelization of existing codes, modelling and scientific simulation; virtual prototyping; production of short films based on the visualisation of scientific imaging with digital recording and editing; planning and creation of GIS applications; techno-scientific start-up support. 3. Training Services: managerial training for SMEs; specialist technical training for ITC Farm companies; training and refresher courses for consulting firms, advanced training through the organization of masters for management consultants. Activities include: R&D training; innovation and technological transfer training; university and higher education training. 4. Pharmacological services: the laboratory is organized together with PHARMANESS Neurosciences who provide services, partnerships, scientific and technological skills advanced equipment and facilities regarding: “barriered” caging services; assessment of synthetic and natural, new generation and known compounds in the preclinical evaluation of the central nervous system; identification of molecular therapeutic targets (receptors, enzymes, genes etc.); validation and selection of molecules pre-selected to become drugs; techno-scientific start-up support. 5. Genetic services: the laboratory is organized together with SHARDNA who provide services, partnerships, scientific and technological skills, advanced equipment and facilities regarding: the singling out of genes and characterization of proteins associated with illnesses; identification of prevalent pathological phenotypes; research into genetic and non-genetic risk factors; identification of genomic regions shared by patients. 19 BUSINESS START-UP OPPORTUNITIES IN THE SOUTHERN SARDINIAN PROVINCES B. Services for Innovation and Technology Transfer: 1. Technological Animation: promotes and organizes seminars and one-day events for disseminating technological and economic information which gathers together experts, consultants and business people. 2. Business incubation services, start-up and spin-off assistance: the installation of incubators allows a company to generate a working environment in which it is possible to create new projects, alone or collaborating with other businesses already in the area. Businesses, according to their activities, can be welcomed in one of the two technological “incubators” in Pula: ICT and Applications (ICT farm, technological incubator and agro-industrial line) and Biomedicine (Bio-med Farm and Bio-incubator). 3. Patenting Service: amongst the services offered for technological innovation is the opportunity to patent your product, contributing a maximum of 50% to total costs. 4. Design, engineering and prototyping – Proto 21: This service develops and applies results obtained from research and invention activities, providing businesses with the following services: design of new products and production processes; preliminary studies and CAD graphics, studies relative to operational conditions (climatic characteristics, mechanical, thermal and chemical loads, fluid dynamic conditions, environmental aspects, etc.); definition and study of yields, performances, and tolerances; alterations to existing production machinery and installations; creation of prototypes with rapid assemblage techniques and prototyping; study of operative legislation; preparation of possible certification, registration, brands and patents; assistance in the various phases of innovative processes; research into possible and particular sources of funding. 5. Technology promotion service: Consorzio 21 is part of CIRCE, one of the 71 Relay Centres (IRC) promoted by the European Commission within its Innovation programme for the dissemination of innovation and transitional technology transfer. 6. Information service for patents and brands: using purpose-made instruments and qualified personnel, the Documentation Centre is able to provide upto-date and complete answers to researchers and business people, supplying them with instructive information to follow a technological product through from the research phase to its commercialization. 7. Regional marketing and research promotion: this service aims to identify and encourage national and international partners in new projects and research activities and to promote their location within Polaris. C. Space and equipment supply: 1. Space for installation: the area covered by buildings set aside for new installations is approximately equal to 2% of the total 160 hectares and has been created with full respect for the surrounding environment. The car parks are underground and the main road has been built with a special concrete which evokes the colour of the surrounding mountain peaks. The road network is made up of a ring road which connects all the buildings. A pathway, with access to each building, has been made along the park’s perimeter, at 100 m. above sea level. The head offices have a telephone and data network: the main network is in optical fibre for data transmission and normal copper wire for telephony. The Internet connection is a shared dedicated line of 8MBps (guaranteed minimum) which will shortly be increased to 16MBps. The security of the structure is guaranteed by a system which includes: centralized general supervision in the entrance building; CTV surveillance and control of access points in each building. The following spaces in particular are available: • Standard installations: spaces reserved for exclusive use, assigned to businesses and research bodies who intend to carry out their research in the park on a permanent basis. 20 BUSINESS START-UP OPPORTUNITIES IN THE SOUTHERN SARDINIAN PROVINCES • Technological Farms: provide the ideal environment for the development of innovative projects by companies already operating in the Information and Communication Technology (ITC Farm) or Biomedicine (Bio-med Farm) spheres. • Business Incubators: these are structures where it is possible to test the techno-economic viability of new entrepreneurial initiatives. 2. Complementary services: self-service canteen; restaurant; private lounge; bar; cash-point; gymnastic and health paths (through the surrounding woods). 3. Logistical and technological services: transport to the city (Cagliari); internal transport; communal rooms and spaces; conference halls; communications room; computer room; seminar room; telephony and data networks; surveillance and security. Partners of Polaris The present partners of Polaris are: • CRS4 (Centre for Research, Development and Higher Studies in Sardinia): is the most important ITC (Information and Communication Technology) research centre in Sardinia. ITC is currently one of the island’s most dynamic and innovative sectors. It is a driving force for inter sector activation and its development strongly influences all other production activities. CRS4 makes an important contribution to this development with its fundamental, scientific skills in computing, modelling and advanced research. It collaborates with other important research groups, in particular the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Cagliari University. Neurosciences: works in the field of neuro-psychopharmacology with the aim of identifying the neurobiological basis of drug addiction, alcoholism, depression, anxiety and sleep and dietary disorders. Helichnos: was created with the aim of developing research projects in the pharmaco-genomic and bioinformatics spheres, working with regional, national and international businesses, research centres and universities. Promea: works in the field of material technology, in particular with ceramics, composite materials, metals and alloys in powder or thin films. It also studies optical and opto-electronic properties of semiconductors and insulators as well as laser ray properties and applications. Porto Conte Ricerche: works in the field of biotechnology applied to the agro-industrial, zoo-technical and environmental sectors, promoting innovation and technology transfer. AILUN: L’Associazione Istituzione Libera Universita Nuorese, is a centre for advanced training and research, operating in the sectors of optical technology and organizational science. In particular, it carries out research geared towards the application of optical technologies to the production world. Parco Genos: is a co-operative consortium created with the task of co-ordinating research activities regarding human, vegetable and animal biology. It works in the field of genomics, biomedicine and bio-informatics. One of its aims is to identify both simple and complex genes associated with hereditary diseases, by means of a multidisciplinary approach, including epidemiological, anthropological, clinical, genetic and statistical studies of the population of Ogliastra. • • • • • • CNR – National Research Council The CNR has the task of developing, disseminating, transferring and championing research activities in the main sectors of knowledge and promoting their applications. It has recently been reorganized, giving rise to the creation of 107 institutes organized into main offices and regional sections. 21 BUSINESS START-UP OPPORTUNITIES IN THE SOUTHERN SARDINIAN PROVINCES CNR Institutes present in Sardinia, with their headquarters (two in Cagliari and one in Sassari) are as follows: • Neuro-genetic and Neuro-pharmacological Institute (INN): in order to create the new institute, with its headquarters in Cagliari, the Centre for Neuro-pharmacological studies (CNF) and the Institute for research into Mediterranean thalassemia and anaemia (IRTAM) have been amalgamated. Its research activities regard: the identification of genetic determinants, including modifying genes of mono and poly-factorial pathologies in the Sardinian population; large-scale studies of genic and proteomic expression (in humans and in the model mouse) in order to understand pathogenic mechanisms responsible for mono and poly-factorial pathologies; study of the genetic basis of individual variability to the pharmacological (pharmaco-genomic) response and development of genic therapy protocols in pathologies particularly frequent in Sardinia; chemical design and molecular and pharmacological assessment of new atypical antipsychotic drugs; identification and assessment of main active ingredients from natural sources particularly as regards Cannabis Sativa; genotype phenotype correlation in animal species (rodents) according to varied central nervous system reactions to active compounds. Population Genetics Institute (IGP): includes the Institute of molecular genetics (IGM/SS). Its research activities regard: multidisciplinary studies of human populations, mainly in Sardinia, paying particular attention to genetic isolation to identify genes and environmental factors associated with simple and complex phenotypes; molecular genetics of monogenic and multi-factorial diseases; epidemiology and molecular diagnoses of hereditary pathologies. Institute of Mediterranean European History (ISEM): in order to create this new institute, with its headquarters in Cagliari, the following centres have been combined: the Centre for the study of literature and culture of emerging areas (CSAE), the Institute for Italian-Iberian relations (IRII) and the Centre of Studies for Technical History (CST). The institute’s research activities regard: the study of historical, institutional and social relationships between the states of Mediterranean Europe; research, study and editions of historical and archive, documentary and literary sources relative to Mediterranean European states; studies of the relationship between mankind and his territory in Mediterranean Europe (means of communication, naval and technical history); history of travel, exchange and conflict between cultures and religious forms in the Mediterranean area. • • Eight Territorial Sections of the CNR Institutes are also present in the Sardinian region: • Institute of Neuroscience (IN): the institute’s research activities regard the molecular, cellular, physiological and pharmacological study of the nervous and neuromuscular system, the study of bio-medically relevant membrane phenomena and biologicallybased studies of psychic processes and cerebral ageing. Institute of Environmental Geology and Geo-engineering (IGAG): the Centre for geo-mineral and mineralogical studies, with its headquarters in Cagliari, has merged with the new institute. Its research activities regard: basic and applied studies regarding the planet’s more recent geological history; location and exploitation of mineral resources and geological materials, as well as basic studies of hydrocarbon geology; mitigation of risks incurred by human activity (industrial and non-industrial) and natural risks regarding effects of earthquakes, volcanoes and landslides; geological tectonic • 22 BUSINESS START-UP OPPORTUNITIES IN THE SOUTHERN SARDINIAN PROVINCES and geo-morphological evolutionary models in continental coastal and marine areas; excavation and stabilization technologies, associated problems of work safety, physical mechanical rock characterization, stability surveys and monitoring. • Institute for the coastal marine environment (IAMC): the regional section in Oristano studies the interactions between marine organisms and their environment, from the assessment of the state of the marine ecosystem to provision for its future progress in time and space, with numeric models corroborated by measurements. The main research disciplines regard organism biology, ecological modelling and the theory of applied information. Institute of biometeorology (IBIMET): the Institute of research for the monitoring of agro-ecosystems (IMAes) now forms part of the new institute. Its research activities regard: assessment of the impact of global changes on agriculture, forests, mankind and his health, territory and landscapes; development of models for the innovation and optimization of agro-forest systems; interaction of climate and atmospheric weather with the quality of products and rational utilization of climatic resources; meteorological and seasonal forecasts for agriculture; monitoring systems for farming, harvest provisions and product quality Institute of bio-molecular chemistry (ICB): the Institute for the application of advanced chemical techniques to agro-biological problems (IATCAPA) now forms part of the new institute. The institute’s research activities regard: isolation, chemical synthesis, molecular characterization, structure-activity relationship and molecular design of biologically active compounds; chemical methodologies innovative in their synthesis, biosynthesis, purification and characterization of biologically active molecules; chemistry, biochemistry and microbiology for the applied development of biomasses and compounds of biotechnological and ecological interest. Institute for animal production systems in Mediterranean environments (ISPAAM): the Centre for studies of Mediterranean pastures (CSPM) now forms part of the new institute. Its research activities regard: fodder production and environmental sustainability; animal systems and biological sustainability; biodiversity and genetic improvement; production quality; optimization and economic sustainability models; training and operational transfer. Institute of alimentary production sciences (ISPA): the institute for the physiology of maturing and conserving fruit from Mediterranean tree species (ISP) now forms part of the new institute. The territorial section operates in two different geographical areas, with premises in both Sassari and Oristano. The new centre provides a series of eight fridge conservation cells with a controlled environment and six for shelf-life and market simulation. It also has a large laboratory for analytical control activities and the automatic registration of statistics. Research activities are presently carried out in laboratories on both sites, whereas the agronomic field work, aimed especially at the primary production of cultivating specimens and control treatments, is carried out mainly in Oristano, where there is also another series of six cells for fridge conservation, ripening and shelf-life. Institute for the study of ecosystems (ISE): the research institute for the biological control of the environment (IRCOBA) now forms part of the new institute. The institute’s research activities regard: limnology and eco-physiology of aquatic ecosystems; ecology of • • • • • 23 BUSINESS START-UP OPPORTUNITIES IN THE SOUTHERN SARDINIAN PROVINCES populations; evolutionary biology, biodiversity and nature conservation; macro and micro environmental pollution; integrated biological control; soil ecosystems, control and recovery of soil quality. Other Public Research Centres Many public research centres engaged in scientific studies operate throughout the region. They are mainly linked to the agro-industrial, environmental, study of materials, biotechnology, information and communication technology and astrophysics sectors. • Zoo-technical and Cheese Institute for Sardinia (IZCS): carries out research activities and experiments regarding selection and cross breeding of livestock, molecular biology applied to genetic improvement, new reproduction techniques, new breeding and feeding techniques and technological innovations in the cheese making field. Experimental Zoo-prophylactic Institute of Sardinia: The institute, with various centres throughout the island, including two in Cagliari, carries out research and experimentation activities involving the monitoring of pathologies rooted in the zoo-technical section, research into residues found in animals and meat, surveillance and control of man-animal-environment balance and information systems for the running of public veterinary health services. Institute for horse promotion in Sardinia: carries out research to promote the Sardinian equine breed, for selection, preservation and breeding and for assisting private stud activities. Italian study and research centre for fishing (CIRSPE): the centre, with offices in Cagliari, carries out research and experimentation on fishing and aquaculture activities and their products, area surveys, restocking and biological protection, protected marine conservation areas, pollution, de-pollution and waste disposal, running of protected areas and natural parks, both in water and on land. Centre for sanitary and environmental engineering (CISA): the centre, based in Cagliari, carries out studies and research in the following areas: surveys and recovery and reclaiming of contaminated sites; recovery and use of biogas from controlled rubbish dumps; treatment of effluent, minimisation of environmental impact from percolation; environmental recovery of old rubbish dumps. Progemisa S.p.a. (joint stock company): this regional agency, located in Cagliari, carries out studies and research in the following areas: geo-environmental; mineral resource location, exploitation and protection; geological research; soil defence. National Institute of Bio-structures and Bio-systems (INBB): carries out research into: cellular biology; bio-molecules; biotechnology; bio-systems and bio-structures; bio-instrumentation and bio-electronics; biological and super-molecular functional units. Consortium for computing, training and advanced research (CIFRA): carries out research and training in the following sectors: expert systems; artificial vision and microelectronics. Astronomical Observatory of Cagliari (OAC): the observatory is located in Capoterra, a town situated a few kilometres from Cagliari. It carries out research training and popularization activities in the sectors of astronomy and astrophysics. • • • • • • • • 24 BUSINESS START-UP OPPORTUNITIES IN THE SOUTHERN SARDINIAN PROVINCES Public-private partnerships Here are just some of the public-private partnerships which deserve a mention: • Batelle 21: carries out research, training, technological transfer and computing systems services for administration, environmental monitoring and medicinal plants. Biotecne: carries out research activities and technological transfer in biotechnologies for the environment, agro-industry, energy and medicine. Associated Research Consortium(CRA): carries out research and services in the domain of bio-fuels and vegetable based additives for fuels, natural extracts from medicinal plants, characterization and development of agro-industrial products, environmental analyses and monitoring and eco-compatible production. Florys S.p.a. (joint stock Company): carries out research and development activities and services for eco-compatible production, natural products and the production of electricity from bio-fuels and biomasses. Hydrocontrol S.r.c.l. (P.l.c.): carries out research activities, technological transfer and training for the administration of water systems, water quality control and control-based technologies. International Marine Centre (IMC): carries out research activities and technological transfer for oceanography, coastal ecosystems, sensory ecology and organism biology. Sardinia’s Chemical Merchandise Laboratory: provides services for businesses regarding chemical and microbiological analyses of food, environmental analyses, self-control consulting (HACCP) and development of analytical methodologies. • • • • • • 25 QUALITY OF LABOUR SUPPLY: EDUCATION, PROFESSIONAL AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING University Universities play an essential part in defining and creating strategies for research and innovation. In the general scientific context, the two Sardinian universities of Cagliari and Sassari bring a wealth of experience, skills and professionalism which contribute to economic and entrepreneurial growth, not least because of the research and study centres which have grown up around them. The university’s role within the region also develops through its constant support and comparison of scientific, technological and entrepreneurial trends and strategies for innovation, through its participation in running structures, infrastructures and functional facilities, to the putting into effect of strategies and through the monitoring of international scientific and technological trends, promoting links with national and international research centres. Scientific and technical collaboration with local institutions is of utmost importance as is the deep-rooted commitment to the creation of instructive courses in the field of education and advanced technical training aimed at the acquisition of skills linked to the needs of businesses and the job market. Over the last sixty years (Since the end of the second World War), the University of Cagliari has experienced a long phase of uninterrupted development. It possesses all the main faculties which are listed below (Table 14) together with many operational departments where research and teaching activities come together (Table 15). FACULTIES Economics Pharmacy Law Engineering Humanities Foreign Languages and Literature Table 14 – Faculties at the University of Cagliari Medicine and Surgery Training Sciences Mathematics, Physics and Natural Sciences Political Sciences Inter-faculty degrees 26 BUSINESS START-UP OPPORTUNITIES IN THE SOUTHERN SARDINIAN PROVINCES DEPARTMENTS Architecture Animal Biology and Ecology Experimental Biology Analytical and Inorganic Chemistry Neurosciences Psychology Business Research: Economics, Law, Communication Economic and Social Research Medical Sciences: Clinical and Semeiotic Surgery, Public Health Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Paediatrics, Radiology Cytomorphology Public Law and Social Studies Economics Business, Technology and Environmental Economics Pharmacy - Chemistry - Technology Classic Philology, Linguistics and Ancient and Medieval History Philology and Modern Literature Philosophy and Theory of Human Sciences Physics Geo-engineering and Environmental Technology Chemical and Material Engineering Territorial Engineering Electric and Electronic Engineering Mechanical Engineering Structural Engineering Linguistics and Stylistics Mathematics and Computing Table 15 – Departments at the University of Cagliari Sciences Applied to Bio-systems Archaeology and Art History Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences Botanical Sciences Neurological and Cardiovascular Sciences Chemical Sciences Surgical Sciences and Organ Transplant Earth Sciences Biomedical Science and Technology Judicial Sciences Medical Sciences: Internal medicine, Anaesthesiology, Infectious diseases Orthodontics Pedagogical and Philosophical Sciences Paediatrics and Clinical Medicine Modern and Contemporary International Politics Historical, Geographical and Artistic Studies Toxicology There are many more research and study centres which form the basis of Cagliari’s academic life: • • • • • • • • • • • • • Interdepartmental Centre of Engineering and Environmental Sciences (CINSA); Centre for Computing Services and Scientific Calculations (CSICS); Mediterranean Biochemical Network Centre; Interdepartmental Centre for Information Sciences/computing laboratory; Research Centre for Mobility Models (CRIMM); North-South Economics Research Centre (CRENOS); Industrial Relations Studies Centre; Judicial Computing and Data Communication Laboratory; Condensed matter theory group; Legal Medicine and Insurance Service; Interdepartmental Centre of European Documentation; University Linguistics Centre; Interdepartmental Centre of Well Being. 27 BUSINESS START-UP OPPORTUNITIES IN THE SOUTHERN SARDINIAN PROVINCES Finally, the University of Cagliari has recently obtained recognition for its centre of excellence “Dependency Neurobiology” of which the Neuroscience, Experimental Biology and Toxicology Departments are part. Professional and Vocational Training There are a high percentage of people in the area who have professional qualifications, obtained from both public and private training centres or from work experience gained with companies in various sectors. Training, both initial training (aimed at favouring introduction into the labour market) and on-going training (aimed at keeping people in the labour market), has created a highly-skilled workforce, especially in the following sectors where, in recent years there has been difficulty in finding qualified personnel on the labour market: • • • • • chemical; engineering; plant engineering; mechanical and electro-mechanical maintenance; building. Companies located in Southern Sardinia can easily tap a wide range of skills developed throughout the region. A few figures demonstrate the extent of these skills: the estimated number of students attending experimental courses, introduced by the reform law in Italy in 2002, is around 23,000, 5,500 of them in Sardinia, approximately 23% of the total figure. As far as spending is concerned; in 2002, after Piedmont, Sardinia was the region which spent most money on training, more than 70 million euros. If, in the future, the level of spending remains stable and considering the total number of students involved, the amount spent per participant will be about 5,000 Euro per year. To assess the growth level of human capital, it can be useful to observe the numbers of employed and unemployed who take part in training and educational activities. Considering information relative to employed adults in the age group 25-64 taking part in training activities for the years 1995, 1999 and 2003, we can see a significant rise in Sardinia of 1.7% in 1995 to 4.3% in 2003. This last figure is higher than both the overall Italian average and the Southern Italian average. An analysis of data regarding unemployed adults taking part in training activities shows Sardinian results as being quite high: whilst the national average is 5.1% in 1995, 5.9% in 1999 and 6.6% in 2003, Sardinia’s averages for the same years are 5.8%, 8.1% and 8.9%. 28 INCENTIVES SYSTEM Southern Sardinian provinces benefit from an interesting incentives system, with incentives emanating from both national and regional authorities. These are steps taken to facilitate and favour the creation and development of new entrepreneurial initiatives in different sectors. The Sardinian Regional Council is also rationalizing and implementing these measures, with the aim of further facilitating the location of new productive investments. For illustrative purposes only, the following laws related to incentives and their benefits are cited: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Law 488/92: concessions, prime rate funding and ordinary funding for industrial, service, tourist and commercial sectors; Regional Law 15/94: concessions for industrial and service sectors; is accumulative with R.L. 21/93; Regional Law 21/93: interest subsidies for medium to long term funding; Regional Law 21/85 (Consorzio 21): non-repayable loans for the purchase of material services; support services for scientific research, innovation and technology transfer; Sabatini Law: concessions for the purchase of machinery; Law 598/94: loans with interest subsidies for technological innovation and environmental protection investments; Regional Law 9/98: concessions for the upgrading and adaptation of hotels; Measure 4.1.b POR Sardinia: capitalization of industrial SMEs through the taking up of stock options in company’s capital; Measure 4.1.d POR Sardinia: participative loans; Measure 4.1.e POR Sardinia: interest subsidies on medium to long term financing and the taking up of stock options in company’s capital for innovative small businesses; Regional Law 36/98: tax relief for social and welfare contributions; Law 407/90: total tax relief for social and welfare contributions for those registered unemployed for at least two years; Law 289/02: tax credit for the increase of employment; Regional Law 12/01: employment subsidies for apprentice recruitment. Of the provisions that the Regional Administration is presently working on, those regarding the support of research and innovation and those aimed at business internationalization are particularly interesting. 29 BUSINESS START-UP OPPORTUNITIES IN THE SOUTHERN SARDINIAN PROVINCES QUALITY OF LIFE Environmental Situation The provinces of Southern Sardinia are consistently at the top of the league in the rankings of indicators used for assessing the quality of life, which constitute a “measuring” of climatic conditions, natural environment, urban environment, cultural resources and all those peculiarities which make the area a very important tourist destination. The region possesses exceptional natural resources, protected on a regional, national and European level. Weather conditions are mild all year round; with maximum temperatures of 38.8 degrees in summer and minimum temperatures of -2 degrees in winter, softened by a constant wind and rainfall which affects the area 100 days per year. Security An analysis of the latest statistics available on criminality regarding Southern Sardinia, provided by the Interior Ministry and the Central Direction of the Criminal Police, demonstrates that the level of public security is significantly high. Having made a comparison of crimes committed in the three provinces from 2000-2001, figures for criminality show a considerable and significant fall: fraud and robbery are down by about 18% and extortion has dropped by almost 15%, while action against criminality has meant a 40% rise in the number of people identified at check points and a 50% rise in the number of vehicles inspected at roadblocks. The high level of public security can also be deduced from a careful reading of national data and from a comparison of this with similar data for Southern Sardinia. In 2001, in contrast to national statistics, which register substantial stability for reported crimes, in the Southern Sardinian provinces there was a reduction of approximately 15%. In 2001, relative to the whole of Sardinia, 3,500 crimes were reported per 100,000 inhabitants, whereas the national average was almost 4,000 per 100,000 inhabitants. Furthermore, there have been no incidents that can be linked directly or indirectly to organized crime or subversive crime, and any criminal events that have actually taken place can certainly be assigned, through unanimous judgement of the perpetrators, to the sector of common crime. To conclude, taking into consideration the “2005 report on the quality of life in Italy”, we can establish that the Southern Sardinian provinces have been consistently amongst the first twenty safest provinces in Italy for many years. 30 BUSINESS START-UP OPPORTUNITIES IN THE SOUTHERN SARDINIAN PROVINCES ADVANTAGES Serviced Areas Plenty of available serviced lots. Excellent infrastructure. Business support service. Production specializations Presence of various production specializations such as: Information and Communication Technology (ITC); metal and mechanical; metallurgical; plant engineering; aluminium, chemical; oil industry; agro-industrial. Material Connections Excellent port infrastructure. Presence of industrial transhipment port. Research Presence of Polaris, central offices of Sardinia’s Presence of important research centres specialized in Scientific and Technological Park. micro-electronics, pharmacology and biotechnology. Presence of many Institutes and Territorial Sections Presence of many specialized research centres operating of the National Research Council (CNR). within the orbit of Cagliari and Sassari universities. Labour Supply Presence of good supply of human resources with a Presence of professionally skilled workers in specific high level of professional qualifications. sectors where supply is lacking. Incentives Laws providing incentives for new businesses and Local financial benefits for the lowering of work industries. costs. Quality of Life Healthy environment. Presence of natural resources protected on a regional, national and European level. OPPORTUNITIES Territory and environment Strategic geographical position in the Mediterranean. Infrastructural System Possibilities for development linked to the increase Growth of passenger and goods traffic at the new of traffic in the industrial transhipment port. air terminal at Cagliari airport, Elmas. Job Market Growth of participation in training and educational Presence of highly-qualified professionals. activities. Tourism Gradual opening of Cagliari airport, Elmas, to low Reconfiguration of Cagliari’s port to improve tourist cost flights. access. Central location in relation to a potential market of almost 700 million people. Low crime rates. Duty free zone. Presence of new air terminal at Cagliari airport, Elmas. Low set-up and running costs. Short purchasing times. Quick connections to ports, airports, railway stations and the main roadway. 31 LINKS www.assindca.it Associazione Industriali Province della Sardegna Meridionale www.confindustria.it Confindustria www.regione.sardegna.it Regione Autonoma della Sardegna www.sfirs.it SRIRS - Società Finanziaria Industriale Rinascita Sardegna www.ossind.it Osservatorio Economico www.casic.it Consorzio per l’Area di Sviluppo Industriale di Cagliari www.csse.it Centro Servizi Sardegna Europa (Consorzio Industriale di Isili) www.civillacidro.it Consorzio Industriale di Villacidro www.ziriglesias.it Consorzio per la Zona Industriale di Interesse Regionale di Iglesias www.cict.it Cagliari International Container Terminal www.sogaer.it Società Gestione Aeroporto Cagliari-Elmas www.consorzioventuno.it Consorzio Ventuno (Polaris – Parco Scientifico e Tecnologico della Sardegna) www.unica.it Università degli Studi di Cagliari