DigIT Export Day at the Palazzo dell’Economia in Cosenza

The Promos Italia roadshow on digital export stopped in Cosenza with a session aimed at helping local small and medium enterprises access foreign markets. Held at the Chamber of Commerce headquarters, the event focused on how digital technologies and artificial intelligence can support international positioning and business growth.

Speakers and experts presented practical tools and scenarios, covering topics from marketplace strategies to social media and AI applications for marketing, data analysis and customer care.

Key findings from local companies

Surveys conducted among businesses in the province highlighted interest in digitalization alongside areas that need development:

• 61.5% say selling or promoting abroad is not yet established but is a concrete goal;
• 30.8% operate internationally on an occasional basis;
• 7.7% are already structured for foreign markets;
• 46.2% have a multilingual website, 38.5% have only an Italian site and 15.4% have no website or are building one;
• 23.1% report having a regularly updated and optimized website.

Companies mainly use owned channels and social media to reach customers (both at 61.5%), while marketplace adoption remains limited. Artificial intelligence emerged as a key area: 15.4% use it regularly and many are testing or evaluating its application.

Practical support and next stops

Participants benefited from free one-to-one consultations with Promos Italia digital services experts to analyse individual cases and receive tailored advice. The initiative is part of a broader roadshow designed to bring skills and concrete tools directly to local businesses in other cities as well.

Takeaway for SMEs: priority requests include digital strategy, social media advertising and AI applied to business—areas identified as essential to convert digital opportunities into tangible international growth.