ZES strategic plan 'key for Italy' says Meloni

(ANSA) - ROME, JUL 26 - Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni told a government meeting that approved Friday a strategic plan for a Single Special Economic Zone in the country's South that it is a "fundamental measure for Italy", according to well-informed sources .
    The plan will "contribute to design the South's development policy over the next three years", Meloni said, according to the sources.
    "The development of a sole ZES" area represents "a challenge for all, it works and will work if all actors involved - the government, regions, local institutions, citizens and companies - will understand the importance of this great challenge", Meloni noted.
    The plan establishes a Single Special Economic Zone across southern Italy to simplify administrative procedures, provide incentives and fiscal benefits to companies wishing to invest in the area to boost growth.
    It "extends benefits of the special economic zone to the entire territory of the regions of our Mezzogiorno.
    "All territories of the south will in this way be able to enjoy opportunities for growth and development" through the "simplification of administrative" procedures, "fiscal benefits" and a "coordinated plan of interventions and investments", Meloni told the meeting, the sources said.
    Meloni added that the ZES plan eyed the Mediterranean, the new geopolitical scenario and the ongoing transformation of the energy sector as part of the development strategy.
    "It is a scenario in which the South has all the cards necessary to contribute to the strategic autonomy of Italy and Europe", she noted.
    In this respect, Meloni concluded, ZES could be crucial in building a "new model of cooperation, development and partnership with Africa on which the Mattei Plan is based", referring to the plan to create a new partnership with African countries to address the root causes of irregular migration and turn Italy into a sort of hub of energy supplies. (ANSA).