Vaughan Builds Business Relationships During Trade Mission to Italy

Oct. 16, 2012 11:00 a.m.
A City of Vaughan delegation led by Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua has successfully completed a 10-day business trip to Italy as part of a 17-member Italian Chamber of Commerce of Ontario (ICCO) Trade Mission. Numerous meetings with Italian officials and business people included signing ceremonies for two letters of agreement to explore future business and economic relationships. 

“Vaughan is in the midst of a transformation and is ready to move to the next level and become a world-class city,” said Mayor Bevilacqua. “Creating and building strong business relations and increasing our presence on the international stage, through such initiatives as this trade mission, allows our City to remain competitive in today’s fast-paced global economy.”

On behalf of the City of Vaughan, Mayor Bevilacqua signed economic cooperation agreements with the President of the Province of Milan and with the Mayor of Rome, representing two of Italy’s leading business centres – Milan is known as the economic capital of Italy with a population of 3 million; Rome is the country’s capital with a population of 2.8 million. In addition, the delegation participated in roundtable discussions on renewable energy and green technologies, toured the new Turin subway development, and made presentations to Chambers of Commerce in Milan, Turin, Verona and Rome.

“At every opportunity, we made a strong case for ‘The Vaughan Advantage’ as the gateway to the Greater Toronto economic region,” said Mayor Bevilacqua. “We are working to attract and grow the next generation of economic activities and make Vaughan a leader in the GTA.”

 
Over 40 investment ready businesses gathered at the Palazzo Isimbardi,
home to the offices of the Province of Milan, for Mayor Bevilacqua’s presentation of ‘The Vaughan Advantage.’ 

The delegation held face-to-face meetings with more than 65 companies. The City’s presentation to Italian officials and business people highlighted the advantages Vaughan offers for business investment, including accessibility to North American markets, proximity to major highways and the country’s busiest airport, and a diverse and well-educated workforce. Vaughan’s new downtown development at the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre was featured in a short video, titled It'll Move You (view it in our Top Videos section). 

The 17-member trade mission included business people, ICCO officials, and the Vaughan delegation with Mayor Bevilacqua, Ward 3 Councillor Rosanna DeFrancesca, City Manager Clayton Harris, Executive Director Tim Simmonds and Assistant to the Mayor, Michelle DeBuono.

“The City’s Economic Development Strategy supports the growth of local businesses by accessing new markets and encourages foreign investment here in Vaughan to benefit the entire community,” said City Manager Clayton Harris. “Vaughan has several significant investment opportunities tied to specific employment areas of the City, most notably the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre and the Vaughan Enterprise Zone. We are actively promoting Vaughan’s great potential both here at home and around the world.”
 


Mayor Bevilacqua made a presentation on the Vaughan Advantage to a business audience prior to face-to-face meetings 
with Rome business leaders. A total of 66 meetings were held between the Vaughan delegation and Italian businesses.

  

Over 100 business people gathered at the Rome Chamber of Commerce for Mayor Bevilacqua’s presentation of the Vaughan Advantage. 
Pictured from left: Corrado Paina, Executive Director ICCO;  Massimiliano Maselli, President of Development Lazio; Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua and George Visintin, President ICCO.

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