Gov. Ron DeSantis meets Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome on Nov. 12, 2024. (Photo courtesy of the governor’s office)
Following a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office announced Tuesday the opening of an office to help businesses in the country operate in Florida.
The announcement of the state’s 19th international trade development office, opening in 2025, came on the second day of DeSantis’ five-day business mission to the European country.
“Florida is greatly expanding its Italian presence, and we are pleased to announce our newest international trade office will be in Italy,” DeSantis said in a press release. “Our brick-and-mortar presence here will continue the work of this trade mission in bringing more businesses, investment, and trade to Florida.”
During DeSantis’ stop in Viareggio, a city in northern Tuscany known for shipbuilding, he met with representatives from three Italian shipyards in business or developing business in Pensacola, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami, according to the press release.
Earlier in the day, DeSantis met with Meloni in Rome and thanked her for welcoming the 85 members of the trade mission.
The Florida officials on the trip include university presidents from Florida State University, New College of Florida, the University of Central Florida, Florida International University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and Florida Polytechnic University; and Long, FloridaCommerce Secretary J. Alex Kelly, Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue, Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Jason Weida, and Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd.
“It was great to discuss relations between Florida and Italy with the Prime Minister today in Rome. We hope that Florida and Italy’s relationship continues to grow, and we welcome greater investment from Italian companies in our state,” DeSantis said. “We appreciate the Prime Minister hosting our trade delegation this week, and we are appreciative of her efforts to advance the interests of her country and her people.”
On Monday, the governor announced a space-centered partnership with an Italian university.