A delegation from Italy’s Liguria region will visit Savannah and Atlanta from September 23 to 25 to discuss business and research partnerships with institutions and companies in Georgia. The program begins with port operations and international trade before moving to advanced manufacturing, technology and tourism.
Leading the mission is Admiral Massimiliano Nannini, chief of staff to Liguria’s regional president. He said the region wants to use its institutional relationships to establish connections between businesses, universities and research centers, with further initiatives and shared projects taking shape as early as 2027.
The first meetings, in Savannah on Wednesday, September 23, will concern shipping and logistics. The delegation will visit the Georgia Ports Authority for a discussion of its operations and development prospects, followed by a visit to Garden City Terminal. In the afternoon, World Trade Center Savannah will host talks with logistics and import-export operators on potential commercial partnerships between Georgia and Liguria.
The group includes representatives from the Ligurian port system authorities, Federlogistica, the University of Genoa, Genoa Airport, Agenzia in Liguria, the Italian Institute of Technology, Liguria International and FILSE. Two Ligurian companies, Cactus Holding and Firmamento Technologies, will join the delegation in Atlanta.
On Thursday, talks at the Metro Atlanta Chamber will address the memorandum of understanding between Georgia and Liguria, alongside opportunities to encourage trade and investment. State and chamber representatives will discuss possible cooperation across several industries, including advanced manufacturing, automation, automotive, electric mobility and aerospace, as well as financial and technology services.
The Atlanta program also includes visits to Tech Square and ATDC, which supports startups and technology companies. In Gwinnett County, the delegation will meet the local chamber of commerce and Italian and international businesses. A separate visit to Emory University will focus on entrepreneurship, health technologies, artificial intelligence, research and technology transfer, and will include the university’s incubator, The Hatchery.
Angelo Vaccarezza, the regional councillor responsible for international relations, said the mission is intended to support Ligurian businesses abroad and attract investment. Nannini identified Atlanta’s experience in technology, advanced manufacturing and automation as a particular reason for pursuing closer ties.
The final day will bring together representatives from logistics, air transport and Liguria’s ports to discuss artificial intelligence, automation and new supply chains. Businesses, the University of Genoa, FILSE and the Italian Institute of Technology will also take part in a session on innovation and economic opportunities in Atlanta. Meetings with tour operators are scheduled for the same day to explore possible cooperation in tourism.
