by InTrieste
Officials from Italy’s Friuli Venezia Giulia region are looking to deepen economic and cultural ties with Canada, particularly in Ontario, where strong historic connections with Italian immigrant communities continue to shape business opportunities.
During a recent visit to Toronto this week, Barbara Zilli, the regional councilor for finance, and Pierpaolo Roberti, the councilor for local autonomy, met with institutions, business leaders and representatives of Friulian and Julian communities, accompanied by Italy’s consul general in Toronto, Luca Zelioli.
The discussions focused largely on food, wine, manufacturing and construction — sectors in which Friuli Venezia Giulia sees growing Canadian interest, especially amid shifting global trade conditions and concerns over tariffs.
“The Canadian market looks very favorably on our region,” Ms. Zilli said, adding that the goal is to turn that interest into concrete investments and stronger commercial exchanges.
Mr. Roberti said diaspora communities play an important role not only in preserving cultural ties, but also in creating economic opportunities for businesses from the region.
Meetings also included talks with the Italian Chamber of Commerce of Ontario and lawmakers of Friulian and Julian origin in the Ontario Parliament, where new possibilities for market expansion were discussed.
The mission included a cultural component as well, with the presentation of “Orcolat ’76,” a theatrical production about the 1976 Friuli earthquake. Officials said the event was meant as a tribute to expatriate communities that have preserved Friulian identity and traditions abroad.
