by InTrieste
In a move that signals growing transatlantic business ties, the governor of Italy’s Friuli Venezia Giulia region, Massimiliano Fedriga, met today with a delegation from Virginia, along with Douglass Benning, the U.S. Consul General in Italy. The meeting underscores the strengthening relationship between the northeastern Italian region and the Virginia Small Business Development Center (VA SBDC), which began in earnest last year.
“This partnership between Friuli Venezia Giulia and Virginia’s Small Business Development Center continues to grow, opening new doors for mutual investments,” said Fedriga at the conclusion of the business meeting held at the regional government’s headquarters in Trieste. “Businesses from our region now have the opportunity to invest in the U.S. market, just as Virginian companies are exploring opportunities here.”
The delegation, comprised of five companies and representatives from the Fairfax municipality, was coordinated by VA SBDC, a U.S. organization dedicated to supporting small and medium-sized enterprises. Their visit marks a significant milestone in deepening economic ties between the two regions. Select FVG, Friuli Venezia Giulia’s agency responsible for attracting businesses, will introduce the U.S. delegation to local stakeholders, aiming to spark new partnerships in key industries.
A Strategic U.S.-EU Bridge
Virginia, with its strategic location as a major U.S. commercial hub and home to one of the country’s largest ports, offers an enticing gateway to the American market for Italian businesses. “Virginia can serve as a crucial partner for Friuli Venezia Giulia to access the broader U.S. market,” Fedriga emphasized.
The governor also noted that both regions share a focus on research and innovation, identifying common ground that could foster further collaborations in technology and logistics. “I’m convinced that these shared priorities will lead to new opportunities for growth,” he added.
During the morning’s proceedings, Fedriga and Consul General Benning held a private meeting where they discussed the broader implications of such partnerships. They underscored the importance of strengthening strategic alliances between Western democracies, particularly in light of the close relationship between the U.S. and Italy.
Opportunities in Innovation and Infrastructure
In addition to meeting with the governor, the Virginia delegation engaged with local government officials, including Pierpaolo Roberti, Friuli Venezia Giulia’s Councillor for Local Autonomy, and Sebastiano Callari, the region’s Councillor for Information Systems. Both officials highlighted the unique advantages Friuli Venezia Giulia offers for foreign investors.
Roberti pointed out the region’s significant public investment in reducing tax burdens and modernizing infrastructure. “We’ve made strategic investments to lower taxes and develop a modern, functional infrastructure system. The goal is clear: to incentivize private investment through strong public support.”
Callari emphasized the role of cutting-edge technology, noting the presence of a regional in-house ICT company that has accelerated digitization and promoted innovative fields like quantum communication and cybersecurity. “We’ve also amassed a valuable data infrastructure that holds great potential, particularly in healthcare,” Callari noted.
Virginia Delegation Eyes New Opportunities
The Virginian delegation brought together an array of innovative companies, each exploring new opportunities for collaboration in Italy. Among them were:
- Netarus-SiteTrax: A Norfolk-based company that leads in AI-driven computer vision solutions and asset management, creating geolocation data for logistics and supply chain sectors.
- Icarus Medical: Specializing in custom knee braces, this company employs advanced imaging and manufacturing technologies to provide highly personalized medical products.
- Performance Medical Technologies: Based in Charlottesville, the company focuses on clinical data science and drug development.
- Map-Collective: This AI-driven platform offers advanced tools for companies and governments to track emissions, map biodiversity, plan energy hubs, and support the transition to a circular economy.
- Ensco MicroSearch: A global leader in human presence detection systems, Ensco’s technology is employed at border crossings, prisons, and high-value facilities worldwide.
Also joining the discussions were representatives from the Fairfax City Economic Development office, an organization dedicated to fostering economic growth in the Virginia city.
Strengthening Global Ties
As economic ties between the U.S. and Friuli Venezia Giulia deepen, this visit is seen as part of a broader push by both regions to leverage each other’s strengths in logistics, innovation, and infrastructure. With continued investment and collaboration, officials are optimistic that the relationship will result in significant economic gains on both sides of the Atlantic.
For the Friuli Venezia Giulia region, this burgeoning relationship with Virginia offers a promising opportunity to establish a stronger foothold in the U.S. market—while for Virginian businesses, Italy provides a gateway to Europe’s vast economy.
“Through shared interests in innovation and logistics, this partnership can create new pathways for growth,” Fedriga said. “The future of our collaboration looks bright.”
