LJUBLJANA, SLOVENIA AND ITALY SPACE BUSINESS FORUM

During this meeting, the opportunity was taken to present the district region (preliminary results of the feasibility study and first initiatives envisaged) to the ASI delegation. Those present included: Giorgio Saccoccia (President of ASI), Gabriella Arrigo (Director of ASI International Affairs), Danilo Rubino (head of bilateral cooperation EU-ASI), Silvia Ciccarelli (head of internationalisation of ASI industries). The audience also included members of the Slovenian Government’s Space Office, as well as all the companies interested in the B2B networking.

During the B2B activity, several companies expressed interest and willingness to join, or at least create a collaborative relationship, with the district region. In the final stages of the event, the ESA Head of the Slovenia Delegation (Tanja Permozer) confirmed their willingness to create links with neighbouring territories, proposing to organise a more specific meeting between FVG and Slovenia on the Space topic. The PODIM technology hub in Nova Gorica was also mentioned as a physical location for activities, a location which could (hypothetically) also be included within the activities of the European Capital of Culture.

A small delegation from the Cluster, representing the Promotion and the research bodies involved, was able to make a presentation during the plenary session and participate in B2B activity with Slovenian companies in order to promote the initiative and encourage businesses to sign up for future joint projects. New and forthcoming cross-border funding programmes (INTERREG) for innovation-related activities were also discussed.