Reggio Calabria port system identified as strategic Mediterranean hub

Luigi Sbarra, Undersecretary of State to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers with a mandate for the South, has identified the strategic port system of Reggio Calabria and the Strait as essential infrastructure for the competitiveness of Calabria and the entire Mezzogiorno. During a workshop in Reggio Calabria, Sbarra emphasized that the region's geographic position can strengthen connections between territories, businesses, and major Mediterranean commercial routes.

Sbarra highlighted the role of the Single Special Economic Zone (ZES Unica), noting that 300 million euros have been allocated for the infrastructure of industrial, productive, and artisanal areas. The ZES aims to simplify administrative processes and support investment through tax credits.

Economic data presented by Sbarra indicates that between January 1, 2024, and September 15, 2026, 1,529 Single Authorizations were issued, generating 9.8 billion euros in private investment. In Calabria specifically, 77 Single Authorizations supported 669.5 million euros in investments, with tax credit requests totaling over 1 billion euros. This has resulted in an estimated economic impact of approximately 4.5 billion euros and the creation of roughly 3,200 new employment opportunities.