Italy’s Ambassador Envisions Enhanced Economic Ties at ‘EU-Kerala Blue Tides Conclave’

Kochi: Italy’s Ambassador to India, Antonio Bartoli, recently joined other European Union country representatives at the ‘EU-Kerala Blue Tides Conclave’ in Kerala, focusing on strengthening economic cooperation between Europe and India. The event served as a platform to explore potential partnerships in key areas, including the blue economy, infrastructure, digital technology, talent mobility, tourism, renewable energy, and connectivity. Kerala’s authorities presented their main projects across these sectors, highlighting opportunities for collaboration.

According to Ansa News Agency, Ambassador Bartoli engaged in discussions with India’s Fisheries Minister, the Prime Minister of Kerala, and various ministers, including the Minister of Industry. He underscored Italy’s commitment to professional mobility, training, and innovation – fields where Kerala stands out with its vibrant ecosystem of over 6,200 start-ups and 560 incubators.

Bartoli remarked on the longstanding trade history between Italy and Kerala, dating back to the Roman Empire. “A future revival of that ancient and flourishing trade route will be Imec, the Indo-Mediterranean corridor of which Italy wants to be one of the terminals,” he stated. Emphasizing Italy’s position as the third-largest blue economy in Europe, Bartoli highlighted the nation’s prowess in shipbuilding and its investments in infrastructure and connectivity.

“With about 150 billion euros of induced revenue,” Bartoli noted, “Italy is well-positioned to collaborate with India and Kerala in exchanging goods, data, and skilled personnel, including nurses and engineers, facilitated by initiatives like Sparkle’s underwater highway for high-speed Internet.”