Friuli-Venezia Giulia Region, 15 May 2019- In the framework of the project “Promotion of investment and cooperation opportunities on maritime and smart health sectors” funded by the Friuli-Venezia Giulia (FVG) region, UNIDO ITPO Italy with the collaboration of CBM – the smart health cluster of the FVG region – organized a study tour mission in the Region, with a delegate of the Cuban biopharmaceutical group, BioCubaFarma. During the three-day study tour, the delegate was accompanied in its mission by the Minister Counsellor of the Cuban Embassy to Italy.

The objective of the mission was to promote towards selected Italian companies and potential investors the investment opportunities scouted in the Cuban smart health sector and to support as well the capacity of BioCubaFarma, through a series of dedicated meetings and company visits arranged with multiple stakeholders and technology providers from the FVG Region.

On 13 May 2019 the delegate visited the premises of the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), an international scientific and organization located in Trieste. ICGEB  is considered a center of excellence for research and training in molecular biology and genetics for the benefit of developing countries and economies in transition.
On the same day, the delegation participated to a dedicated round table held in the premises of the regional smart health cluster, within the location of AREA Science Park in Basovizza. This event was attended by 4 innovative companies (Bilimetrix, Servernet, Eurospital and Affidia) and by FINEST, the financial organization specialized in supporting the internationalization of Italian firms based in North-East Italy.

The delegate had also the opportunity to meet the Italian Liver Foundation and to visit the facilities of Elettra Sinctrotrone, the third-generation electron storage ring source located in Basovizza. 

The following day the delegate visited the manufacturing plant of the company Alifax in Nimis, as well as the company Serichim, based inside the industrial park of Torviscosa.

The mission ended on May 15^th, with the meeting with the Executive member of the Regional Government of Friuli-Venezia Giulia in charge of Research and the subsequent visit to the facilities of the company AB Analitica in the city of Padova.

Thanks to the multiple meetings and visits organized by UNIDO ITPO Italy to facilitate the interaction between the delegate of BioCubaFarma and relevant stakeholders from the FVG Region, this study tour mission paved the way to potential partnerships and set the bases for commercial agreements and future market access.