TRIESTE – On the very days devoted to discussion of IMEC (the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor), yesterday saw both the visit of India’s ambassador and the opening of the new consulate in Trieste.
The visit of India’s ambassador to Italy, Her Excellency Vani Rao, to Trieste comes within a strategic framework of international cooperation closely tied to the Indo-Mediterranean Imec corridor project (India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor). Friuli Venezia Giulia and the port of Trieste are expected to become key logistics hubs for trade flows between Asia and Europe, leveraging infrastructure and rail connections with central Europe.
Welcoming Ambassador Rao, alongside Trieste mayor Roberto Dipiazza, was also regional governor Massimiliano Fedriga, who stressed that strengthening institutional cooperation with India is a strategic choice to consolidate the region’s role as a natural platform linking the Mediterranean, central Europe and Asian markets. «In an international context marked by profound changes – Fedriga said – cooperation with India offers important guarantees of stability not only for our territory, but for the whole European continent. Dialogue between territories can consolidate lasting and mutually beneficial relations».
During the day, Ambassador Rao was accompanied by India’s Consul General in Milan, Lavanya Kumar, and Trieste’s honorary consul, Renzo Tondo, former president of the Region. The programme included a visit to the new consular office, housed in premises made available by the law firm Pastor, followed by institutional meetings with the mayor and the Chamber of Commerce, where opportunities for economic cooperation between India and Friuli Venezia Giulia were discussed.
«Trade between Friuli Venezia Giulia and India amounts to 422 million dollars – Ambassador Rao recalled – and Trieste is a strategic city thanks to its rail links and the presence of high-level scientific institutions attended by many Indian citizens». The issue of economic exchange also extends to the manufacturing and machinery production sectors, in which the region can represent a competitive partner.
During the meetings, the importance of maritime and logistics connectivity was also underlined. «We are increasing exports and we must strengthen links with global supply chains – mayor Dipiazza explained –. Maritime connectivity is fundamental for us, and our region’s logistics strategies are an excellence to be enhanced».
