Infrastructure Forum of the Mediterranean Dialogues – Italy provides investment

Africa) and between them and the European Union, strengthening cooperation in the economic, social and political fields – December 2, 2021 The MED, now in its seventh edition, is an annual initiative promoted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI) which aims to bring together international personalities, including Heads of State , ministers and leaders of civil society, with the aim of reflecting on the challenges and opportunities for the Mediterranean area and the Middle East. Since 2018, particular attention has been paid to the theme of Infrastructures, considered essential for promoting economic growth and integration: the MED forum on the subject is the only one conceived primarily for the business community of the enlarged Mediterranean and for the institutions that are involved in promoting development and economic cooperation in the region.  In particular, this morning’s meeting focused on the main legislative and financial interventions necessary to increase the partnership between public and private actors for the construction of infrastructures, on investment priorities for the green and sustainable transition, on ways to increase interconnections and cooperation across the region.  The Minister illustrated the MIMS strategy to invest 61.3 billion of the NRP to transform Italy in the next ten years , strengthening interconnections, reducing territorial inequalities, improving railway and port infrastructures to support the competitiveness of businesses, reducing the impact of polluting emissions to combat the climate crisis and move rapidly towards the ecological transition. These are objectives, the Minister specified, which will be pursued in two stages: «The funds of the NRP, with their deadlines in 2026, represent only the ‘first half of the game’. The second half will be played with national funds and will go well beyond the European deadlines.” “Connectivity is the key word,” Giovannini continued. The enormous investments in railway infrastructures go in this direction and connect 11 airports, 11 ports and 9 intermodal hubs. And among the priority actions he mentioned the care of iron, which will make it possible to move the transfers of people and goods from road to rail, the digitalization of logistics systems, the strengthening of ports and rear-port areas, the reduction of polluting emissions. The transformation of Italy will have an impact on the entire Mediterranean region, also by virtue of the position and strategic role of our country for trade and investment. The possibilities offered by European and national funds, combined with the realization of works to improve the connectivity of the peninsula and the creation of high-tech logistic platforms, will allow Italy to have more consistent relations with the entire Mediterranean area and the Near East, with a view to harmonizing investments and shared prosperity.  “Our vision is based on the conviction that we need to take a leap forward, towards transformative resilience, and never before have really important opportunities opened up to change the development model, innovate and improve our country from an infrastructural and mobility, support the growth of the entrepreneurial fabric and increase the quality of life of people without damaging the environment.” Source: Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport (Italy)