Ambassador Massari visits the Dutch province of Groningen

Ambassador Massari visits the Dutch province of Groningen

(ANSA) - ROMA, 28 OTT - The Italian Ambassador to the Netherlands, Augusto Massari, visited the province of Groningen to explore opportunities for economic and scientific collaboration with Italy through a series of meetings. He was accompanied by Scientific Attaché Dario Grasso and officials from the commercial office and the consular chancery. More than 1,500 Italians reside in the province, 1,350 of whom live in the provincial capital. “The meetings confirmed the value of an approach to bilateral cooperation that combines institutional relations, industrial investment, scientific research, and technological innovation,” Massari stated. “This is the approach of Italian economic diplomacy,” which has become a priority for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The first stop was at Eska, a Hoogezand-based company specializing in the production of cardboard from recycled fibers, which was acquired in 2021 by the Milan-based Reno De Medici Group for approximately 146.7 million euros. The transaction represents an example of industrial integration between the two countries in the circular economy sector. Massari then visited the facilities of the “AI Factory” in Groningen, a project worth approximately 215 million euros supported by the Dutch government, regional institutions, and the European Union. The initiative includes a center of excellence and a supercomputer, which is scheduled to be installed at the Zernike Campus. During the meeting with Joyce Walstra, president of MKB Noord—an organization representing small and medium-sized enterprises—the importance of facilitating SMEs’ access to artificial intelligence infrastructure and expertise was emphasized. The discussion with the King’s Commissioner in the province of Groningen, Paas, focused on the region’s development prospects and potential joint projects: links between the AI Factories in Groningen and Bologna, strengthening the network of Italian researchers, initiatives to promote Italian culture and language in collaboration with the municipality, and partnerships between the hydrogen valleys of Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Groningen. At the University of Groningen, the Ambassador met with university leadership and the Italian community of faculty, researchers, and students. The discussions focused on bilateral agreements with Italian universities and relationships with local startups. Read article...