The program will be funded by the Italian government and the recovery plan, stated Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
On Friday, Italy approved the establishment of a special economic zone in the southern part of the country. This strategic plan aims to support the development of economically disadvantaged regions in southern Italy over the next three years, according to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
The program will also be financed through the post-pandemic recovery plan, under which Italy will receive approximately 200 million euros from the European Union (EU) by the end of 2026. “The development of a unified special economic zone is a challenge for everyone; it works and will work if all involved parties—government, regions, local institutions, citizens, and businesses—understand the significance of this major challenge,” Meloni stated at the conclusion of a government meeting.
Rome plans to support investments in strategic sectors such as agriculture, tourism, electronics, automotive, fashion, chemical and pharmaceutical industries, shipbuilding, aerospace, and railways. Southern Italy is traditionally considered an economically disadvantaged area. However, economic data from 2023 indicates that southern Italy experienced a growth rate half a percentage point higher than the rest of the country, Meloni noted.
