Governor Ron DeSantis is set to lead an international trade and business development mission to Italy from November 11 to November 15. The delegation will visit several Italian cities, including Rome, Viareggio, Florence, Turin, and Milan. This mission involves 85 representatives from various Florida industries such as higher education, transportation and logistics, aerospace and aviation, military and defense, hospitals, life sciences, and manufacturing.
The trade mission aims to enhance economic growth opportunities for Florida. Italy ranks among the top twenty international trade partners of the state with an annual bilateral trade value of $4.4 billion. Governor DeSantis expressed gratitude for the invitation extended by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. "Italy and Florida share a special relationship as peninsular entities with many shared industries," he stated. "This mission will strengthen ties between our state and their nation and bring new and increased opportunities and investments to Florida."
FloridaCommerce Secretary Alex Kelly emphasized the potential benefits of this mission: “Next week, Governor Ron DeSantis will embark on a trade mission to Italy to build political and economic relationships to benefit the state of Florida.” He noted that Italy is Florida’s 14th largest trade partner internationally.
The delegation includes notable figures such as agency heads and university presidents like Space Florida President Rob Long; Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue; Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Jason Weida; Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd; President Richard McCullough from Florida State University; President Richard Corcoran from New College of Florida; President Rhea Law from the University of South Florida; along with representatives from other universities including Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.
This initiative is organized by SelectFlorida in collaboration with FloridaCommerce.
For media inquiries regarding the trade mission, contact Bryan.Griffin@eog.myflorida.com or Rose.Hebert@commerce.fl.gov.