VIAREGGIO, Italy - On November 12 2024, Governor DeSantis announced a new SelectFlorida international trade development office will be opened in Italy in 2025. SelectFlorida currently has 18 international trade development offices in 16 countries worldwide. The new office will, among other services, provide information and assistance to Italian companies interested in establishing operations in Florida.

In Viareggio, Governor DeSantis and Florida leadership visited with local leaders and representatives from three of the world's top shipyards: Sanlorenzo, Benetti, and Overmarine. The three shipyards currently have a presence or projects in Pensacola, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami, respectively. Today’s meetings aimed to encourage an increase in their investments in Florida's world-class ports and an expansion of their operations in the state. Florida is proud to be a global leader in boating, yachting, and maritime industry.

“Florida is greatly expanding its Italian presence, and we are pleased to announce our newest international trade office will be in Italy,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Our brick-and-mortar presence here will continue the work of this trade mission in bringing more businesses, investment, and trade to Florida.”

Florida’s partnership with Italy spans several industries, including transportation and logistics, aerospace and aviation, military and defense, and life sciences. In the past year, Florida’s largest industrial traded goods included yachts and other vessels, civilian aircraft and parts, cars, and pharmaceuticals. These industries are key targets for our state’s workforce.

“Under the Governor’s leadership this mission continues to be a success. Today was focused on Florida’s nation-leading yacht building industry-500 ship builders in total-who build more yachts than the rest of the nation combined,” said FloridaCommerce Secretary J. Alex Kelly. “Viareggio is the epicenter of the world yacht building industry and Florida is the epicenter of the yacht building industry outside of Italy, so today we strengthened this connection and demonstrated the powerful value that a new Italy-based SelectFlorida office would offer to both Florida’s and Italy’s marine industries job creators.”

"Although separated by 5,000 miles, Florida and Italian seaports maintain a strong partnership which encourages economic growth. FDOT is thrilled for the opportunity to be a part of this trade mission as our seaports look to further expand and support developing markets throughout the world,” said Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared W. Perdue, P.E. “FDOT appreciates the leadership and opportunity from Governor DeSantis, Florida Commerce, and SelectFlorida to help show Florida seaports are open for business."

Read more about today's announcement here.