ROMA (ITALPRESS) – The Blue Economy is a strategic chain for the country’s growth, but transforming its potential in development requires capital, skills and financial instruments capable of accompanying companies in the different stages of their journey. From banking credit to facilitated finance, from investment in startups to support internationalisation, identifying the best opportunities for their projects is essential to support innovation, strengthen competitiveness and plan new investments.
During the panel Blue Finance 2026, organized by Lazio Region and Lazio Innova with the sponsorship of UniCredit, as part of Fiumicino in Blu and Blue Planet Economy Expoforum, the event organized by Fiera Roma with the support of Lazio Region, Lazio Innova and the Chamber of Commerce of Rome, through the Special Development and Territory Company, scheduled until 24 October. Moderated by Grazia Gulluni, Project Manager Blue Economy of Lazio Innova, the meeting brought together financial institutions and operators to offer SMEs and startups an overview of the available tools, bringing together the different financing possibilities with the needs of the supply chain.
Anna Lorito, UniCredit Corporate Area Manager, illustrated the financial offer in support of the Blue Economy, from ordinary credit to nautical lease, to the facilities provided for ESG companies. A set of tools designed to accompany the companies in the paths of growth, innovation and internationalization, in an ecosystem in which portualità, logistics, tourism, nautical and energy contribute to the development of the territory.
In this context, sustainability also assumes an economic value: measuring its ESG position can strengthen the competitiveness of enterprises and foster access to finance, public guarantees and opportunities along the supply chain. The comparison also deepened the role of public incentives, private investments and the tools most suitable for the different business dimensions, from the birth of startups to the growth of consolidated enterprises.
Speakers Pasquale Pignalosa, Senior Business Analyst of Invitalia; Lavinia Carrese, Acceleration Manager of a|cube – Avanzi, partner of the FAROS program; Francesco Saverio Seri, by Watson Farley & Williams; Leonardo Maria Caputo, of the Lazio Region; Viola Di Caccamo, Senior External Relations of SIMEST; and Andrea Baldi, of the Institute for Sports and Cultural Credit.
In the centre, the opportunities offered by the facilitated finance, from the contributions lost to the guarantee tools, from banking to minibonds and hybrid solutions between debt and capital, along with incubation and acceleration routes and equity investments. It also covers measures for crafts, digitalisation and young enterprises, support for internationalisation and investment in infrastructure and sports activities, including initiatives related to boating. An articulated framework that also includes guidance services to identify the most consistent incentives with projects and tools to support exporting companies and supply chains for foreign markets.
The final session directly involved the shipbuilding companies and consortia present, opening a discussion on the financial needs of the operators and the possibilities for access to the instruments presented. The dialogue allowed us to approach the opportunities available to the concrete needs of the sector, promoting insights and networking opportunities between companies and funders. For a chain in which innovation, infrastructure, sustainability and internationalization require investments and programming skills, the comparison between enterprises, institutions and financial operators is an important step in identifying consistent solutions with company size and growth objectives, transforming financing opportunities into development projects.
– Photo Blueplanet Economy Expoforum –
(ITALPRESS).
