Industry Minister Carlo Calenda on Wednesday said his 'Industry 4.0' plan to boost large-scale investments, innovation and productivity will be part of the upcoming budget bill.
Resources were discussed "in detail" by the government and Premier Matteo Renzi will talk about it during his visit to Milan, where he is inaugurating the start of fashion week on Wednesday.
Calenda presented the plan at the industry ministry in an event also attended by the ministers of economy,Pier Carlo Padoan, labor, Giuliano Poletti, education, Stefania Giannini, environment, Gian Luca Galletti and agriculture, Maurizio Martina, as well as by Vincenzo Boccia, president of industrial employers' confederation Confindustria, and the CEO of state-controlled investment bank Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP), Fabio Gallia.
The plan is "the outcome of the work carried out by the six ministers and the premier's office", added Calenda, stressing that "everybody - from unions to universities - very much wish to join efforts" to implement the investments project, citing in particular innovation.
Confindustria president Boccia called for a "fourth industrial revolution" on the sidelines of an event organized by defense group Leonardo-Finmeccanica.
Boccia noted that Italian industries lagging behind in innovation need to be helped make a breakthrough and that the plan helps address mid-term innovation issues in all sectors.
"We are a great industrial country, we can make it", he said.
The plan reportedly aims to attract 10 billion euros in additional industrial investments and seven billion in research and development through tax incentives, as well as provide support for venture capital, ultra-broadband development, education and innovative research centers.
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