Great strides have been made

The Meloni government has guaranteed a key value – stability – which is invaluable to the business world for planning, investing and growing. This has enabled achievements such as the launch of the new Artigiancassa, a credit facility designed to meet the specific financing needs of our businesses. This is a sign of the government’s attention to and sensitivity towards the expectations represented by Confartigianato. Similarly, Parliament has recognised the excellence and distinctiveness of the craft sector by committing to introduce legislation for specific manufacturing and service sectors. In particular, the approval of the first annual law on SMEs has ushered in a new phase of recognition for the value of craftspeople and small businesses. However, the success of this turning point will now be measured by its concrete implementation. The government must use every day, every hour, to complete, without hesitation, the final stretch and finally implement the reform of the framework law on craftsmanship, contained precisely within the annual SME Act. Legislation that is 40 years old must be changed; it is inadequate for businesses facing digital and green transitions and in need of a definition that allows them to evolve without losing their artisan identity. The new framework law on craftsmanship, once implemented – hopefully as soon as possible – will benefit everyone: small businesses, but also the economy as a whole and future generations.