Facts
Representing
Abruzzo Region is the legislative political and administrative Authority that makes points of laws on health, culture, social affairs, vocational training, energy, environment, etc. at regional level.
Agriculture
Wine, oil and saffron are the most important products of the Region agricultural economy which also boasts many well known designations and indications of origin (DOC,IGT,PDO,PGI). A closer acquaintance also reveals that there is an incredible variety of typical authentic food in Abruzzo.
Demography
Most of the 305 municipalities are towns of less than 3.000 inhabitants. Living standards are more or less in line with the national average; no organised crime and low petty crime rate that is lower than the national average and are currently dropping
Economy
Manufacturing, agriculture, forestry, building, tourism, ICT, wholesale and retail sales, personal and households goods.
The regional business landscape is concentrated mainly in Industrial Districts and Consortium which
are evenly distributed throughout the region. The service sector is one of the most developed in the
region. Indeed, it accounts for approximately 75% of regional added value. In production term, this
assure amongst other things the delivery of a wide range of services to enterprises.
The development of high-tech industry and research, the construction of new industrial areas, three
university centres of excellence have led in the last few years to an economic renewal and attracted
significant investments to the region. It enjoys as well Industrial Consortium, Parks and Districts, a
variety of funding and tax breaks available, and highly skilled human resources.
Employement and Labour Market
The availability of human resources is essential to the economic development of an area; indeed the
existences of local manpower encourages entrepreneurs to invest. Based on the ratio between the
number of people unemployed compared with the total working-age population, unemployment in
Abruzzo is lower than the national average. This shows a better correlation between supply and
demand in the Abruzzo labour market, compared with the national situation.
Environment
Abruzzo Region features both the highest peaks of the Apennine Chain and a marvelous 130 km long coastline on the Adriatic Sea.
Abruzzo has a large number of Parks and protected areas. In particular, there are 3 National's Parks
and several Regional Parks, including many natural reserved areas. The region has a remarkable number
of natural springs, in particular in the Province of L'Aquila (Canistro), Pescara (Popoli), Teramo
(Civitella del Tronto). This background led to the creation and development of the so-called "farm
holidays" industry that has still to reach its full potential.
Europe
In the context of the ROP (Regional Operational Program), aim of Abruzzo Region is to
pursue community objectives and strengthen the region's business, economic and social landscape by
encouraging foreign investment in Objective 2 areas.
The successes that the region has achieved to date, i.e. ranking it as one of the top regions in the
Centre South of Italy in terms of socioeconomic indices and - in many cases - above the national
average, are solid proof of what the region has to offer.
As the Former Managing Authority of INTERREG IIIA Adriatic Cross border 2002/2006
Programme, now reconfirmed for the new IPA Adriatic Cross border Programme 2007/2013, the
Region has activated cost-effective collaborations on the main themes spread by the European
Programming with the Adriatic cross-border regions.
Handcraft
Handcraft in Abruzzo has deep roots. Centuries and centuries of secrets, big and small intuitions, skills that hand down from father to son. Precious metals with its refine filigree handwork, valuable woods, pottery (we can remember Castelli) and fabrics, skin and leather are showed in the workshops where the atmosphere of ancient times is mixed with the enthusiasm of the new generations who are aware of the art of these crafts.
Universities
Abruzzo has a large number of universities, especially in relation to the number of provinces it has (only 4) and the density of its populations. There are three main universities:
- "G. D'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara
- University of L'Aquila
- University of Teramo