by MK
Interviews: Massimiliano Fedriga, Governor of Friuli Venezia Giulia and President of the Conference of Regions; Luca Zaia, Governor of Veneto; Paolo Zangrillo, Minister for Public Administration
Italian national and regional leaders convened in Trieste on Wednesday for the second day of “Selecting Italy,” a forum aimed at promoting foreign investment and highlighting the role of innovation — including artificial intelligence — in regional economic development.
The event, hosted this year in Friuli Venezia Giulia’s capital, underscored Italy’s strategy to position its territories as competitive hubs for global capital, while advancing national priorities in emerging technologies.
Massimiliano Fedriga, the region’s governor and president of the Conference of Regions, said hosting the initiative in Trieste was intended to elevate the diversity and potential of Italy’s regional economies.
“I decided to dedicate Selecting Italy to our region, making it the headquarters because it embodies the concept of the Conference of Regions where all territories are valued,” Mr. Fedriga said. While praising Rome, he emphasized that “Italy’s true beauty lies in the diversity we need to showcase more and more,” noting that national events like the Festival of Regions are designed to rotate across the country rather than remain centralized.
Government officials pointed to artificial intelligence as a key driver of Italy’s economic prospects — and a factor shaping international investment decisions. Public Administration Minister Paolo Zangrillo described the moment as pivotal for Italy’s positioning on the global stage.
“We’re talking about foreign investments and about the attractiveness of our country,” he said. “We’re living in a very complex era geopolitically, with the rapid pace of technological innovation. So moments like these, where we discuss how we can work — especially in local regions — to become more attractive to foreign investments, are very significant.”
Italy’s reputation for creativity and industrial know-how, he added, must be supported by practical conditions and technological capacity — including AI readiness — to convince investors to commit long-term.
Veneto governor Luca Zaia called the forum a step toward establishing a more structured national platform for international capital. The event, he said, “represents the pinnacle of major investor interest and will increasingly become a reference point for investors,” arguing that Italy “lacks a proper exchange for investors” and could benefit from a dedicated marketplace for new economic opportunities.
As sessions continued Wednesday, much of the discussion centered on how Italian regions — from border cities like Trieste to industrial centers and innovation districts — can work together to leverage artificial intelligence, strengthen infrastructure, and improve competitiveness.
The forum concludes as Italy seeks to balance its historic identity with new technological ambitions, presenting its regions not only as custodians of culture, but as emerging engines of digital development and investment appeal.
