Mar. 26 – Lazio International seeks to value regional excellence and attract capital. The Lazio Region’s poster campaign for the internationalization of the regional system was presented this morning at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Lazio has enormous potential on the global arena, and not just because of Rome’s strength and attractiveness. The territory is able to express excellence in high technology and research, has a great and unique historic, cultural and natural heritoge, and produces some of the most demanded goods in the world. This is why there is a need to create an integrated internationalization plan that can bring the regional system to participate and interact with foreign markets. Lazio contributes 11% to the total Italian GDP, but its contribution on the commercial balance is still weak, amounting to only 4% of the total. To narrow the gap and “attack” this contradiction, it is necessary to focus on those areas able to lead. The more competitive sectors on foreign markets and on which the Region has decided to invest are: aerospace, food, decor and design, automotive, life sciences, economics of the sea, ICT, culture industry, restoration and construction technology and the fashion system. To make the most of the regional excellence in these sectors, it is first necessary to promote productions associated with the “Italian way of life.” Foreign Minister Federica Mogherini, who spoke during the presentation of “Lazio International. The 2014 program for the internationalization of the Lazio production system,” turned the spotlight on the importance of a “system that responds adequately to the demand for Italian products there is.” €20 million will be allocated for the 2014-2016 programming, of which € 11.4 million for 2014 alone. These resources will add on the €45 million already planned within the 2014-2020 European program. The total amount invested in the internationalization of the Lazio system amounts to €65 million, a sum that “Lazio International” will use to enter new markets, strengthen entrepreneurial networks and research structures. Nicola Zingaretti, president of the Lazio Region, hopes “all this will help Italy recover in a sustainable manner.”
