What are the future projects that UNIDI has planned for 2024/2025 in some countries on the African continent?
The most important project we are working on is surely IDEA (International Dental Exhibition Africa). This event will be held in Dar Es Salaam from 10 to 12 December 2025, and aims to establish itself as the most important dental event on the African continent and a reference point for local professionals. In this regard, I must mention the very strong cooperation with local dental associations, with whom we are working to organise the best cultural and scientific programme. From 11 to 13 December 2024, also in Dar Es Salaam and thanks to a collaborative partnership with the Embassy of Italy in Tanzania, an important preview will be held: the Business Forum Italia Tanzania (BFIT), which will feature the Italian health system and allow the best possible accreditation with political, academic and professional institutions.
Who is the Africa project 'Italians do it better' aimed at?
The project is aimed at Italian and European industries, which can approach markets directly, identifying local dealers and initiating production training and specific training courses for the dental professions.
3. Tell us a bit about your past and future projects in detail: how they are organised, which countries you intend to cover, which governmental organisations you work with and local industry associations, etc.
Since the start of the IDEA project, a complex and rigorous collaboration with all the local professional associations of the dental world, political institutions (in particular, the Ministries of Health) and the academic world, has been indispensable. In addition, we wished to emphasise the key role played by all local dental and medical professionals. Collaboration is always pursued on an equal basis.
What must Made in Italy companies do to participate and what expenses will they face?
Access costs in terms of customs documentation and certification are not particularly onerous; similarly, most of the maritime freights that sail to the African continent are reasonably priced. The investment required for companies to meet hundreds of dealers from all over sub-Saharan Africa is still being studied, but may be estimated at a couple of thousand euros, with a particularly advantageous and attractive contact cost.
Why did you choose Africa as one of the strategic targets to implement the Made in Italy fair?
For obvious demographic, economic, development and geopolitical issues, Sub-Saharan Africa is, without a doubt, the area with the greatest growth opportunities in the medium term, and it is therefore crucial for Italian industry to be present right now.
Which companies have participated in the past and what was their feedback?
The companies most closely related to African markets are those focused on the production of consumables, sterilisers and dental units.
After the missions in Africa baptised 'Italians do it better', are you planning to organise other missions in the future in strategic markets such as India or the Far East?
As a preparatory step, UNIDI has already carried out an itinerant mission to Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania in September 2023, which saw the presence of a dozen Italian companies and the incredible participation of around 300 dealers from the above-mentioned countries as well as Uganda and Rwanda.
UNIDI will also organise a mission to South East Asia in July 2024, to Vietnam, to continue the market research project that had to be suspended due to Covid.
About UNIDI
UNIDI (Italian Dental Industry Association) associates the best of Italian Dental Industry: more than 100 high-calibre manufacturers of equipment and consumables for dentists and dental technicians. UNIDI was set up in 1969 and in 48 years of activity it has made an all-important contribution to the growth of the Italian Dental Industry. Today, it is one of the world leaders, among the first for volume of business, technological innovation and exports.
UNIDI represents the Italian Smile Industry, that is appreciated throughout the world for the reliability of its components, its avant-garde technological solutions and pleasing design. We support our Companies promoting them in Italy and abroad, and we contribute to the growth of the sector with the organization of the most important Italian dental event: Expodental Meeting is the showcase of the Italian dental excellence.
