11/02/2022
The Prime Minister at Palazzo San Giorgio announces investments for the Port, high-speed rail and the redevelopment of several neighbourhoods: "We bet on the potential of the city"
"The National Recovery and Resilience Plan belongs to all Italians. We must push ahead with it, showing unity, confidence and determination". This is the message of Prime Minister Mario Draghi from Palazzo San Giorgio during his visit to Genoa on Wednesday 9 February. From the historic maritime garrison of the city, the Premier Draghi stressed that the government has achieved all the Plan’s 2021 objectives and assured that the same will happen in 2022. "It is a matter of responsibility towards and respect of our citizens and our EU partners," Draghi added, "and it is also a matter of reliability because sustained, equitable, and sustainable growth is the best way to safeguard stability".
The Prime Minister then went into details regarding the measures envisaged for Genoa and Liguria: "The speed and efficiency of the port activities are fundamental for our exports and for the entire production industry. Today, the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, together with the Special Investment Programme, are allowing us to make the Port of Genoa even more competitive and secure. This is of course about investing in the city and regional industry. Italy ranks nineteenth in the world for logistics time frames and costs, also as a result of red tape and delays in digital development. We must overcome these barriers and make the most of the advantages offered by increases in trade”.
To do so, Prime Minister Draghi has made it clear that the government intends to expand the infrastructure in order to accommodate increasing traffic flows. "We want to improve connections between ports, roads and rail networks, also to compete with other ports in both the Mediterranean and northern Europe", he added, "We plan to speed up the digitalization process along of the entire logistics chain, boosting flexibility and reducing inefficiencies. We also wish to simplify administrative procedures in order to facilitate flows. The National Recovery and Resilience Plan is allowing us to invest in long-term projects and to improve the environmental and social sustainability of our infrastructure. Regarding the Port of Genoa, we are investing EUR 500 million in the new breakwater, which will allow next-generation ship ships to enter, increase level of safety and make it easier to manoeuvre. We are simplifying strategic planning procedures and reforming the rules governing concessions. We are investing in high-speed rail and upgrading the Genoa rail junction – work is already underway".
The NRRP also provides for interventions about the "Terzo Valico”, a EUR 7.4 billion investment to speed up connections between the north of Italy and the rest of Europe: "The NRRP is also allowing us to move ahead with the electrification of the docks, in order to reduce air and noise pollution in the area. All of these measures will create new employment opportunities for thousands of people throughout the region". Specific measures are also planned to revive the city's neighbourhoods. "Developing the port also means improving citizens’ quality of life," added Draghi, "this is why the NRRP includes regeneration measures for a number of different neighbourhoods. As proposed by the municipality and the regional authorities, we are investing over EUR 130 million in restructuring buildings, redeveloping properties confiscated from the Mafia and building social housing; in supporting non-profit cultural organisations; in providing specific help for young people who want to live near the port".
Developing Genoa’s port area is about backing the city’s potential. “About the ability of our country to be a key player both in the Mediterranean and globally, about creating employment and new opportunities for young people. A reliable Italy, confident in its extraordinary abilities”, concluded Prime Minister Draghi, “an Italy for young people and women; an Italy that doesn’t leave the weakest behind and protects its elderly; an Italy where the future can flourish. This is the Italy I am working for, the Italy that all of us must strive for. Because we all have a part to play in writing Italy’s history".
