(ANSA) - Milan, October 6 - Water and soft drinks maker San Pellegrino Group launched a manifesto for Made in Italy products Tuesday at the Expo 2015 world's fair.
    The manifesto highlights the strengths of Italian products and aims to boost cooperation between firms as they seek to expand in foreign markets.
    Signed by business executives from key Made in Italy sectors as well as business associations Confagricoltura for farming and Confartigianato for hand-made goods, the document was officially handed over to the Italian government, represented by under-secretary for reforms, Ivan Scalfarotto.
    "This manifesto represents the need to make the most of the knowledge gained during Expo and the value that is created by our excellence," said San Pellegrino Group CEO Stefano Agostini.
    The document aims to defend and promote the transmission of know-how from generation to generation, give a global vision to local excellence, create synergies between complementary sectors, and increase Italy's competitiveness.
    "To be successful abroad Made in Italy must present itself with a united vision that promotes Enterprise Italy rather than individual companies," the document says.
    One section is dedicated to training, an area in which the manifesto calls for greater investments. Scalfarotto said the government has set aside 260 million euros to support Italian companies' development abroad. He said it was expecting a 5.1% rise in Italian exports in 2015, and that it aimed to increase the number of companies that export to 22,000 from 14,000.