(ANSA) - TRIESTE, SEP 9 - "The Balkans are a vitally important region from an industrial standpoint, especially in this era of post-globalization, when we need to shorten our supply chains." This point was made today by Luigino Pozzo, President of Confindustria Udine, on the sidelines of the "The Balkans Meet in Trieste" conference. The event was organized by the ANSA news agency to coincide with the 34th General Assembly of the Association of Balkan News Agencies - Southeast Europe (ABNA-SE), held under the patronage of the Central European Initiative (CEI). "For too long, we have been tied to China and Asia. In these times of instability, finding ways to shorten supply chains is crucial for maintaining competitiveness—which is the major challenge right now. Chinese goods are flooding the European market, resulting in a trade surplus of 1.2 trillion in their favor. Consequently, industry is being called upon to become increasingly competitive to cope with this complex situation." Pozzo also highlighted "the alarmingly rising electricity costs that are putting companies under strain. Furthermore, while we have previously turned to Chinese markets to source raw materials, we now need to find solutions right here in Europe." In this context, Pozzo views the Balkans as "a truly strategic region for industrial solutions. It could offer a concrete answer to the urgent need for establishing the supply chains we so desperately require." (ANSA).