Space, Veneto bids to lead Italy’s industry

Brussels – “Let’s give space to space”. A slogan, that of the President of the Veneto Region, Luca Zaia, that encapsulates a political agenda, an economic-industrial project, and a strategic vision. Because while the space economy dates back to the 1960s, the “new-space economy”, on the other hand, is today’s history and increasingly central. Italy does not want to miss the opportunities, and Veneto intends to lead the country in this race. So much so that the region is relaunching “Veneto Space Meetings”, the international event dedicated to the aerospace industry launched last year and confirmed for 2024. It will be held in Venice May 20-22, but to give voice to the seriousness of commitments and intentions the presentation was organized in the European Parliament building. Veneto, Zaia stressed, “with its regional policies, has opened its doors to the digital industry and the world of space, not only to expand its borders and showcase its excellence at the European level but also to create a public-private system, a bridge, capable of attracting investment to the regional territory.” That’s why the second edition of “Veneto Space Meetings” “is a strategic event that aims to create in Veneto a real incubator for everything that gravitates around the aerospace world,” which in the Veneto region alone “represents 260 companies and 2.2 billion euros in turnover.”

There is a treasure trove of excellence, an industrial fabric ready to develop, thanks in part to the contribution of Rir Air (Regional Innovative Network – Aerospace Innovation and Research). “We have expertise in telescopes, remote sensing, components, and cybersecurity,” stresses the group’s president, Federico Zoppas, convinced that the regional government’s initiative is the right one. “Those who want to come and invest in our area will already find an ecosystem” suitable and attractive, thanks to a region “dictating the right pace” for an increasingly central sector. Intercepting tomorrow’s innovators will be important, and among Rir Air’s missions, Zoppas stressed, “we want to bring young people closer to this sector.”

In these Italian ambitions for space policy, Veneto and its innovative network Rir Air can benefit from the contribution of the Italian Space Agency, which is financial. “ASI is committed to funding start-ups that want to try their hand at the sector,” recalls the agency’s director general, Luca Salamone, who is pleased with the role Veneto has decided to take on. “Italy has industrial and technological excellence” that justifies this rush.