Crédit Agricole Italia and Bocconi University together to support Research in the agricultural and agri-food sector

Milan, December 22, 2021 – Crédit Agricole Italia signed an innovative three-year agreement with Bocconi University of Milan through which the Banking Group will provide the University with advanced analytical tools and deep-rooted expertise in agribusiness, to support research in the agricultural and agri-food sector. The agreement was formalised in the presence of Vittorio Ratto, Deputy General Manager Retail, Private and Digital of Crédit Agricole Italia, Professor Gianmario Verona, Rector of Bocconi University, Professor Bruno Busacca, Vice-Rector for Fund Raising and Alumni Relations, and Professor Vitaliano Fiorillo, Director of AgriLab.

The agreement strengthens the already solid cooperation between Crédit Agricole Italia and Bocconi University in terms of elaboration of thematic analyses and in-depth studies related to agrifood supply chains, combining, through AgriLab, SDA Bocconi's research laboratory directed by Professor Vitaliano Fiorillo, dedicated to the sector and founded in 2019 together with the Romeo and Enrica Invernizzi Foundation, the skills of professors and researchers with those of the Banking Group. Moreover, a White Paper on the status of the Italian agri-agricultural market and training seminars in the area, with the ambition of identifying future development trends, analysing the potential of the sector, forecasting market trends and developing research projects on current topics such as sustainability and circularity, are planned.

"Our project is to consolidate the expertise in the agricultural and agri-food sector, by actively collaborating with Bocconi University, through the study of agribusiness issues, both from the point of view of market knowledge and the preparation of future scenarios, and from the point of view of credit support - states Vittorio Ratto, Deputy General Manager Retail, Private and Digital of Crédit Agricole Italia. As Crédit Agricole Group, we believe that the continuous evolution of digital processes can offer significant opportunities for growth and efficiency; this evolution, together with our experience in agribusiness and cooperation with the University, will be able to generate valuable and cutting-edge skills for the growth of the entire national production fabric".

"Research today is increasingly based on the analysis of big data: this is why being able to count on the support, tools and databases of Crédit Agricole Italia in this specific sector that is so important for Italy represents a further step forward in understanding the phenomena and trends of agribusiness," comments Bruno Busacca, Pro-Rector for Fund Raising and Alumni Relations.

"Being able to produce knowledge to support the management of agricultural supply chains, renewing the managerial culture and providing entrepreneurs with concrete tools for the development of their business means being able to have a positive impact on a strategic sector. This is why it is important for our AgriLab to be able to count on relevant partners such as Crédit Agricole Italia", he concludes.

Crédit Agricole Italia confirms, once again, its great attention to Italian agribusiness field, which, with the efficiency of its supply chains, its drive for innovation while preserving tradition, and the high quality of its certified products, is one of the best in the world. The Group is thus determined to play a leading role in supporting the growth of this sector, which is strategic for the entire national economy.



SDA Bocconi School of Management