Invest in Varese
Why invest in the province of Varese
Diversification and business acumen are the buzzwords to use when describing Varese's economy. Around 65,000 companies employing 272,000 workers are distributed across the secondary and tertiary sectors, offering a vast array of products and services.
Varese's extensive entrepreneurial history is reflected by its successful multinationals (Agusta, Bticino, Whirlpool, Novartis, Conforama and Alenia Aermacchi) and its thriving network of small and medium-sized businesses and craft workshops. A total of 53 businesses per sq km (an average of 34 in Lombardy and a national average of 18) of which 37% are craft workshops (an average of 32% in Lombardy and a national average of 28%) are just a couple of Varese's key economic statistics.
As a result, new companies are able to rely on a varied economic structure in a province that balances modernity and tradition.
Exports reached 11.7 billion euros in 2024, with a positive trade balance of 2.5 billion euros. The propensity to export (exports/value added) reaches 45%. In this context, high-tech exports constitute 57% of the total, giving the territory international prestige (the national average is 44%).
Among the regional business aggregation initiatives is the Lombardy Aerospace Cluster, in which companies active in this territory hold significant weight, with prominent realities such as Leonardo Group and numerous important sub-suppliers. Overall, the cluster brings together 2 research centers, 4 universities, 108 companies, 1 trade association, with a complete supply chain in both rotorcraft, aircraft, and satellites. Varese companies are also fully involved in initiatives that promote the innovation and internationalization of energy products/processes: an example is the "Energy Cluster: Lombard energy to compete," which gathers 101 companies, 11 research organizations, and 24 other entities.
The province of Varese is located in the heart of Europe, at the foot of the Alps, and is a launching pad for the North of the continent. The area is also an important strategic base for the numerous logistics companies operating here: almost 1,300 active business locations and over 2,500 local units. This is also thanks to excellent infrastructures such as the Malpensa intercontinental airport and the AlpTransit railway line, as well as an extensive road network.
The area has always based its development on quality, and therefore the role of human capital is of primary importance: the school system guarantees a high level of competence and specialization, in line with the structure of the provincial economy. Highly qualified workers are essential for businesses, and to meet this demand, specific training programs have been implemented in the two local universities, Università Carlo Cattaneo LIUC and Università degli Studi dell’Insubria, and in the ITS (Higher Technical Institutes) that have emerged in recent years.
The province of Varese is an ideal place to live and a key destination for eco-tourism: an environment characterized by the blue of the lakes and the green of the Pre-Alpine valleys makes it eco-friendly, with low particulate matter (PM10) emissions, high-quality water, efficient recycling and waste treatment plants, as well as water treatment itself. This context makes it an increasingly appreciated destination for all types of tourism: from leisure to sports, also made attractive by hosting internationally significant sporting events. The tourism system is also developing thanks to the skills of operators, and in 2024 visitor presences reached a record of 2.9 million, 66% of which were foreign.
The province of Varese guarantees continuous support to its businesses, which can always rely on comprehensive assistance in terms of both promotion and development. Furthermore, these businesses can benefit from a public-private network committed to cooperating to help them face even the most adverse economic situations.
