Liguria’s three-day mission to Georgia ended in Atlanta with discussions on shipping, potential air connections and cooperation between technology companies. Held at the offices of law firm Miller & Martin, the final meetings focused on how businesses in the two regions could develop commercial ties, from using Savannah and Genoa as entry points to their respective markets to supporting startups seeking to expand abroad.
The opening session examined how artificial intelligence and automation are changing logistics, transport and supply chains. Participants included representatives from Delta Air Lines, Logistics Reply, JAS and Miller & Martin, alongside the Italian logistics federation Federlogistica, the Western Ligurian Sea Port Authority and Genoa Airport.
Federlogistica president Davide Falteri outlined the work he expects to follow: identifying the needs of Italian companies interested in entering the United States through the Port of Savannah, and those of American businesses considering Genoa as a route into Europe. Alberto Pozzobon, marketing manager at the Western Ligurian Sea Port Authority, said the meetings in Savannah and Atlanta had generated interest in the Ports of Genoa’s role in serving Italian and European markets. He also noted that attending together had allowed institutions and operators to present the region’s services and expertise jointly.
For Genoa Airport, the Atlanta meeting provided an opportunity to discuss potential new connections directly with Delta Air Lines. Airport general manager Francesco D’Amico said the airport has been working to strengthen its presence in the North American market. Its presentation covered both Liguria’s tourism offering and travel linked to the region’s businesses and industries.
“This is a process that starts here, and we will continue working on it over the coming months,” D’Amico said.
A second session brought together companies and professionals working in manufacturing, consulting, technology and research, with representatives from the University of Genoa and FILSE. Discussions covered technology transfer and possible cooperation to help businesses develop internationally. Two Ligurian companies, Cactus Holding and Firmamento Technologies, also took part in the Atlanta meetings.
Maria Nives Riggio, FILSE’s deputy general manager, pointed to exchanges with Italian entrepreneurs who have already established a presence in the United States. She said Atlanta’s network of services and support could be useful for Ligurian startups, and that the meetings had identified several areas of shared business activity. FILSE’s next task, she added, would be to follow up on those contacts.
The delegation was led by Admiral Massimiliano Nannini, chief of staff to the president of the Liguria Region, and also included representatives from Liguria’s port authorities, Agenzia in Liguria and Liguria International. Nannini said the priority after the mission would be to turn the initial discussions into specific opportunities for cooperation. A visit to Liguria by a delegation from the State of Georgia is being planned for 2027 to continue the talks.
