Shanghai, 6 December 2017 - UNIDO ITPO Italy supported a Delegation from Friuli Venezia Giulia during an institutional and entrepreneurial visit to Shanghai, within the framework of the project "SMEs 4 Business Development China & Cuba". In particular, in accordance with the Joint Declaration signed in May 2015 by Friuli Venezia Giulia Region and our Office, the mission was aimed at enhancing cooperation between FVG region and China, by promoting the transfer of innovative technologies and encouraging the creation of partnerships between SMEs, regional clusters and Chinese companies. More specifically, the two sides expressed a concrete interest in fostering partnerships and developing synergies in the following sectors: port operations, logistic and marine supply chain management, smart city, innovation and research, innovation industry and design, biomedicine and health care.

In order to achieve such ambitious goals, UNIDO ITPO Italy organized the Shanghai-FVG Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum in collaboration with Invest Shanghai, UNIDO ITPO Shanghai and the Consulate General of Italy in Shanghai, and facilitated bilateral meetings between the FVG entities and the Chinese counterparts.

During the Forum it is worth noting the participation of Ms. Zhong Xiaomin, Vice Chairwoman of Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce, Ms. Debora Serracchiani, President of FVG and Mr. Stefano Beltrame, Consul General of Italy in Shanghai, as well as nearly 100 governmental and business representatives. At the end of the Forum Zhong and Serracchiani signed a Memorandum of Understanding to further deepen economic and trade relations and explore new cooperation opportunities. With the aim to facilitate the implementation of this MOU, the Parties agreed on establishing close cooperation with UNIDO ITPO Italy and UNIDO ITPO Shanghai.

After the Forum a networking event was held to find solutions to address current challenges in urban areas. In particular, the two parts underlined the opportunity to share best practices for integrated urban-industrial development, facilitate knowledge transfer and city-level matchmaking, advance capacity-building and encourage dialogue for city-to-city, city-to-business and business-to-business cooperation.

In the light of the activities undertaken and achievements obtained, the mission represented a very promising step forward to strengthen bilateral cooperation and ultimately foster sustained economic growth and inclusive and sustainable development.