Florida Expands Strategic Trade Ties with Italy with Leadership Trade Mission

MILAN & GENOA, Italy—A Florida Delegation led by Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly and Secretary of Transportation Jared W. Perdue visited Italy to expand on Governor DeSantis’ trade mission in November 2024 and explore new international business opportunities aimed at benefiting Florida’s small and emerging businesses. During the mission, SelectFlorida opened an international trade office in Milan—a direct result of the November 2024 mission, the State of Florida signed an MOU with the Lombardy region and the delegation participated in the second transportation and logistics Italy-Florida Working Group meeting in Genoa.

“Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, Florida is not only strengthening its international partnerships but strategically positioning itself as an international hub for innovation, advanced manufacturing and defense technologies,” said Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly. “Our engagements in Italy underscore a shared commitment to economic collaboration, technological advancement and workforce development. By forging strong relationships with Italian industry leaders and research intuitions, we create meaningful pathways for Florida’s small and emerging businesses to grow, scale and compete internationally.”

“The relationship between Florida and Italy is already strong and the coalition we have formed between Florida Seaports and Italian Seaports will further strengthen this relationship and pave the way for future economic growth.” said Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared W. Perdue, P.E.

“This trade mission to Italy bolstered an already powerful alignment between Florida and Italy—one that will have lasting impact across the Mediterranean and Europe,” said SelectFlorida Board Member and Chief of Regulatory Compliance for JAXPORT, Nick Primrose. “By expanding these strategic partnerships, we are reaffirming our commitment to fostering long-term growth, supporting job creation and strengthening the bridge between our two unique economies.”

While in Milan, the delegation celebrated the opening of SelectFlorida’s new international trade development office, which will serve as a strategic hub to promote bilateral trade, attract foreign direct investment and support Italian companies seeking to establish or expand operations in Florida. Additionally, the State of Florida signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Lombardy Region, furthering  the success of the Florida-Lombardy partnership and increasing collaboration in trade, economic strength and industrial ties and developing partnerships in strategic sectors.

While in Genoa, Secretary Purdue led the Delegation at the Genoa Boat Show, where participants met with companies specializing in marine equipment manufacturing, marina operations, boatyard services and other marine-focused technologies. Delegates also participated in the second Italy-Florida Working Group meeting which built on the MOU signed in April between the Florida Ports Council, Assoporti, the Association of Italian Ports, and Assologistica, the Italian Association of Logistics and Supply Chain Management.

In 2024, total merchandise trade between Florida and Italy amounted to $4.3 billion, making Italy Florida’s second largest bilateral merchandise trading partner in the EU and 15th largest trading partner overall. Italy is one of Florida’s most important international markets. Italy is also a top ten foreign direct investor in Florida, as of the most recent data published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis for 2022. Italian majority-owned affiliates employ about 11,000 people in Florida. Florida has 16 sister city and region relationships with Italy.