News

WTC Trieste at UNIDO General Conference in Riyadh

December 18, 2025 - On November 24, Cristina Sbaizero, CEO of World Trade Center Trieste, participated in the 21st Session of the UNIDO General Conference in Riyadh. She represented the WTCA as a liaison to UNIDO, supporting the continued strengthening of the partnership between the two organizations. Ms. Sbaizero was invited as a speaker in the panel “Accelerating Blue Industry: Scaling Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Solutions Across Blue Sectors.” The session gathered high-level representatives from governments, international institutions, and the private sector to discuss new strategies for the sustainable growth of blue industries. During the speech, Ms. Sbaizero, together with Ms. Diana Battaggia, Head of UNIDO ITPO Italy, announced the launch of “UNIDO-WTCA Global Call 2026 on the Blue Economy,” a new joint initiative between UNIDO and the World Trade Centers Association. The program seeks to identify innovative, ready-to-implement solutions that contribute to sustainable development in the Blue Economy, offering support for scale-up and connecting them with partners and investors through the WTC network. Cristina Sbaizero’s role within the WTCA, including her recent reelection to the Board, highlights WTC Trieste’s continued involvement in the Association’s international activities. The UNIDO–WTCA Global Call 2026 on the Blue Economy will be officially presented to the WTCA network at the WTCA Global Business Forum in Philadelphia, marking the next step in engaging World Trade Centers worldwide in the initiative. Read More

WTC Trieste joins Migration Forum 2025 in Naples

November 5, 2025 - World Trade Center Trieste took part in the Migration Forum 2025, held in Naples on October 15th within the framework of the MED Dialogues. The event, co-hosted by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ISPI, and IOM with the support of the European Training Foundation, gathered policymakers, private sector representatives, and international experts to explore innovative approaches to migration governance. Invited by IOM, WTC Trieste contributed to the panel “Engaging the Private Sector in Migration Governance.” Cristina Sbaizero, WTC Trieste CEO, shared insights from the YMED Blue Economy Project implemented in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region, while Leonardo Monniello, Head of Member Services and Project Manager, joined the delegation. The discussion highlighted the crucial role of private sector engagement in fostering regular migration pathways, skills development, and training opportunities for migrants. As emphasized throughout the Forum, migration should not be viewed solely as a challenge, but as an opportunity for innovation, economic growth, and social inclusion. Read More

FTZ connected with WTC Trieste

October 1, 2025 - The Port of Trieste operates under a special Customs Free Port regime, establishing itself as a leading example of an effective Free Trade Zone (FTZ) in the EU. This regime provides significant competitive advantages over standard national ports and other EU free zones in administrative, financial, and operational areas. One key benefit is that goods can maintain foreign status indefinitely without undergoing preliminary customs formalities, ensuring a liberalized transit regime and immediate economic savings. Additionally, the Port of Trieste offers substantial cash flow benefits by deferring import duties and VAT payments for up to 180 days. It also ensures high operational flexibility for industrial transformation, allowing some finished products to acquire the certification of Italian origin and offering potential exemption from excise duties on fuel and energy consumed for industrial activities with goods destined abroad. These unique legal features result in substantial cost and time savings for commercial operators. WTC Trieste provides dedicated guidance and tailored support to international companies seeking to take full advantage of these strategic opportunities. Read More

The Role of the Consul in Contemporary Society

August 6, 2025 - On July 19, 2025, diplomats from 51 countries met for a conference and networking event “The Role of the Consul in Contemporary Society.” The initiative, hosted by Anna Licia Balzan—Honorary Consul of the Principality of Monaco in Venice and Dean of the Consular Corps of Veneto—focused on strengthening relations between consulates representing foreign countries and Italian institutions. The Secretary General of Farnesina, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAECI), H.E. Riccardo Guariglia attended the conference and provided constructive contributions. Among the participants were 48 Consuls from northeastern Italy, primarily from Veneto, Trentino, and Friuli Venezia Giulia. Many of these are business leaders who serve in a voluntary capacity. Cristina Sbaizero, Honorary Consul of Sweden in Trieste and CEO of the World Trade Center Trieste, also contributed to the discussions. Read More

Honorary Consuls Meeting in Stockholm Embassy

May 27, 2025 - From May 12 to 15, a productive meeting took place at the Italian Embassy in Stockholm, gathering for the first time General and Honorary Consuls of Sweden in Italy and Italian consular representatives in Sweden. Cristina Sbaizero, Honorary Consul of Sweden in Trieste and CEO of the World Trade Center Trieste, took part in the meeting. The event held at the residence of H.H. Michele Pala, Italian Ambassador to Sweden, was also attended by H.H. Jan Björklund, Swedish Ambassador to Italy. The meeting provided a space to share experiences on consular services and on fostering economic, commercial, and cultural cooperation at the international level. It highlighted the vital role of Consuls in strengthening bilateral ties between Italy and Sweden. The program also included a meeting with the Association of Swedish Industries and a visit to Ericsson’s innovative factory in the telecommunications sector. In addition, a fruitful roundtable discussion took place with representatives of Business Sweden at their headquarters in the World Trade Center Stockholm. Read More

FVG,UNIDO ITPO Italy Delegation: WTC Opportunities

April 24, 2025 - From April 21st to 25th, a delegation of around 15 participants—including representatives from the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, UNIDO ITPO Italy, and selected regional companies—joined an institutional and economic mission to Japan, in the context of Expo 2025 Osaka, where FVG unveiled its dedicated pavilion. A call for proposals was launched in February 2025 to identify and involve cutting-edge companies from the region in the delegation, underlining a commitment to showcasing FVG’s dynamic entrepreneurial landscape. A key moment of the mission took place in Tokyo on April 21st, with a strategic meeting promoted by WTC Trieste involving the Italian delegation, WTC Tokyo, and WTC Osaka, reinforcing the collaborative spirit of the global WTC network in advancing international partnerships and regional growth. Read More

Bridging Libya and FVG for blue economy growth

March 3, 2025 - WTC Trieste is proud to announce its latest agreement with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) , further solidifying its commitment to fostering international cooperation and impactful initiatives. This collaboration follows the existing partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and reinforces WTC Trieste’s mission to engage with global institutions in delivering value-added projects.The collaboration with IOM is centered around the Y-MED Blue Economy project, an initiative funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Friuli Venezia Giulia Autonomous Region . The project aims to enhance the circulation of skills and support the employability of young talents across the Mediterranean region. Specifically, it provides opportunities for young professionals from Southern Mediterranean countries to undertake internships of up to six months at selected host companies in Italy.In Friuli Venezia Giulia , the project is deeply connected to the blue economy , aligning with the region’s strategic priorities. WTC Trieste plays a key role in facilitating and executing the initiative in selected locations. Currently, three young veterinarians from Libya have been selected and are participating in internships within the region’s sanitary structures . Through this initiative, they will gain firsthand experience in best practices, regulations, and skills development, further strengthening their professional expertise and fostering cross-border knowledge exchange.This collaboration marks another significant milestone in WTC Trieste’s mission to bridge global networks, promote economic development, and contribute to sustainable growth in key sectors. Read More

WTC Trieste joined Triestespresso's 11th edition

November 4, 2024 - The World Trade Center Trieste recently participated in "Triestespresso," an international event held in Trieste and the premier biennial B2B trade fair dedicated exclusively to Espresso coffee. Trieste, known as the “Capital of Coffee,” has been home to a highly specialized coffee industry for over 300 years, renowned for its rich coffee culture, historic roasting traditions, and vibrant coffee scene. In its 11th edition in 2024, Triestespresso Expo attracted over 10,000 visitors from around the world, solidifying its status as a premier event for coffee industry professionals. It provided an excellent networking opportunity and given the coffee industry's prominence as one of the largest global trades, WTC Trieste is pleased to support fellow WTCs and their member companies interested in attending this premier international event. Read More

Upcoming G7 Event on Science and Africa in Trieste

July 18, 2024 - WTC Trieste is delighted to announce the "Research and Capacity Building with African Countries G7 Conference", taking place on October 2nd in Trieste, Italy. This event will be held alongside the Big Science Business Forum (BSBF), one of the leading global gatherings for high-tech entrepreneurship. The conference highligths Italy's renewed commitment to fostering cooperation with African nations. This initiative is a key component of the Mattei Plan for Africa, introduced by the Italian government to enhance collaboration and support development across the continent. The event will feature prominent figures, including Mr. Mohamed Belhocine, the African Union Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, and Mrs. Stefania Giannini, UNESCO's Assistant Director-General for Education. Their participation underscores the critical importance of scientific progress for the stability and harmonious growth of African countries, which is essential for global development. Trieste, chosen for its rich history of international research and strong ties with Africa, is home to several scientific institutions and world-known research and innovation centres. This makes Trieste an ideal location for fostering scientific diplomacy and knowledge exchange. The upcoming event furthers the success achieved by the 2023 WTCA Global Business Forum in Accra, Ghana, emphasizing the ever-strengthening ties between Italy and Africa. Read More

Trieste's urban regeneration showcased at MIPIM

March 13, 2024 - For the second year in a row, the City of Trieste will participate in MIPIM, the leading real estate fair taking place in Cannes from March 12th to March 15th. The fair brings together the most influential players from all sectors of the real estate industry with over 22.000 participants from 90 countries all over the world. This year, the City of Trieste will promote “Porto Vecchio-Porto Vivo” (“Old Port-Living Port”), an urban regeneration project that ranks among the most important initiatives in the Mediterranean Basin, with the aid of an innovative interactive model that features augmented reality. The model, created by the company Divulgando S.r.l., is the result of a major synergic design and planning project that has been in the works since last September. By recovering all building floor plans and the numerous public projects currently underway, it was possible to create a faithful reproduction of the entire 60-hectares area, in scale 1: 1200. The model integrates state-of-the-art augmented reality through special QR codes that can be scanned to view the details of each property, or access the website for a virtual tour experience, and it is designed to evolve in sync with future projects that will be carried out in "Porto Vecchio - Porto Vivo". After MIPIM, the model will be displayed in a bespoke space in the City of Trieste and used in various possible promotional contexts, such as this year's Barcolana Village. Friuli Venezia Giulia President Massimo Fedriga and City Councillor for the “Porto Vivo”, Everest Bertoli, - members of the delegation that will participate to MIPIM - highlighted that the event is of paramount importance to showcase the opportunities offered by these projects to national and international stakeholders and the potential synergies between public and private real estate, in the context of the rapid growth of foreign investments in Friuli Venezia Giulia. Read More

Trieste, a harbour for the whole Mediterranean Sea

January 30, 2024 - On January 22, 2024, the Italian embassy in Cairo and the Egyptian government formally sealed a historical bilateral agreement, which opened up a sea highway linking the ports of Trieste and Damietta. At its core, the agreement establishes a maritime freight line between Trieste and Damietta, crafting a safe and efficient fast track and solidifying Italy's position as a privileged trade channel in the Euro-Mediterranean region. The gateway guarantees the transit of Egyptian fruit and vegetable products through the port of Trieste and its related railway connections, as they are bound for north-central Europe and Great Britain. Secondly, this strategic alliance is set to enhance the presence of European goods, with a notable focus on pharmaceuticals and textiles, in new markets, thanks to the ease of access to not only the Egyptian market but also the vast consumer bases of Africa and the Middle East: as a matter of fact, the geographical advantage granted by a safe, secure maritime access to Egypt may open doors to a potential market of over one billion consumers. Enrico Samer, one of the professionals behind this operation, and President of both Samer & Co. Shipping and World Trade Center Trieste, called attention to the far-reaching economic benefits. Samer highlighted how the new sea highway is bound to act as a catalyst for Italian trucking, presenting unprecedented growth opportunities in a sector yet to be fully developed in Egypt. As Trieste and the region of Friuli Venezia Giulia navigate these developments, the ripple effects on the global economic landscape are undeniable, leading to a paradigm shift in international trade for the region. Read More

WTC TRIESTE IS PARTNER OF THE “BLUE INNOVATION HUB

November 30, 2021 - In the context of EXPO Dubai 2020, the World Trade Center Trieste supported UNIDO ITPO Italy in promoting the "Blue Innovation Hub" initiative, engaging innovative Italian companies providing solutions in the field of the Blue Economy. This collaboration was made possible thanks to the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA), that establishes a framework for cooperations between the Partners to achieve their common objectives. The "Blue Innovation Hub" initiative brings together experts, academia, research enters, startups, and SMEs to explore innovative solutions and design-thinking tools and technologies for a sustainable Blue Growth sector. The hot topic of "Blue Growth", around which the initiative is developed, comprises a range of both traditional and emerging sectors within the blue economy, such as Circular Economy, sustaibale Fishery and Aquaculture, Smart and Green Shipbuilding, Transportation, Shipping and Ports, Biotechnology, Research and Education, Renewable Energy, Maritime Construction and Sustainable Marine and Coastal Tourism. To learn more about "Blue Innovation Hub", we invite you to visit the official website at https://www.unido.it/innovationbridge2020/bluehub.php Read More