Western Australia's (WA) strong economic and cultural ties with Italy were celebrated at a business breakfast bringing together more than 100 government and industry representatives, highlighting the growing connections and opportunities between the two regions.

As part of Perth’s Calcio Italiano Festival program, the event opened with the signing of a Joint Communiqué with Servizi Assicurativi del Commercio Estero S.p.A. (SACE), Italy’s export credit agency. 

The Communiqué was signed by WA’s Agent General, Rebecca Tomkinson, and SACE Chairman, Guglielmo Picchi, outlining an intention to explore ongoing collaboration in areas including critical raw materials supply chains, investment opportunities and business engagement.

Robyn Collard and Tryse Rioli then officially opened formalities with a beautiful Welcome to Country, setting the tone for a morning focused on connection and collaboration. 

The Premier of WA, Hon Roger Cook MLA, opened the morning, emphasising the important role that sport, particularly football, plays in strengthening global partnerships, driving economic growth and creating new opportunities for collaboration such as the recently signed Communiqué.

The Premier also noted how the strong ties between WA and Italy offer trade and investment opportunities in sectors such as construction, renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, food processing and tourism.

Tourism, in particular, has increased significantly, supported by the establishment of the direct Perth to Rome flights, which launched in 2022.

Deputy Premier, Hon Rita Saffioti MLA, delivered the keynote address, highlighting how we can leverage the excitement of global football to create meaningful discussions around international trade and investment.

With football bringing people together, the conversation quickly pivoted to the opportunities connecting WA and Italy beyond the pitch.

Facilitated by Simone Spencer, Deputy Director General, Strategy, Performance and International Engagement at the Department of Energy and Economic Diversification (DEED), the first panel explored energy and supply chain resilience, the growing potential for collaboration between the two regions and the ways government from both sides, through ITWA and SACE, can support investment and trade opportunities.

Joining Ms Spencer were Guglielmo Picchi, Chairman of SACE, Italy's Export Credit Agency, Jai Thomas, Deputy Director General, Energy Policy WA at DEED, and Rebecca Tomkinson, WA Agent General to the United Kingdom and Europe.

A second panel shifted the focus from policy to practice, with industry leaders sharing first-hand insights into operating across WA and Italy.

Joining Ms Spencer were John Galvin, Chief Bidding and Engineering Officer at Webuild, Adrian Marziano, VP Australia & Pacific at NHOA Energy, Jordan Kosek, Managing Director at APD Global and Michele Ciccarese, Commercial & Marketing Director at Lega Serie A. 

Mr Galvin outlined Webuild's significant presence in WA, including its involvement in major infrastructure projects such as Perth's new Women and Babies Hospital.

NHOA Energy exemplifies the growing investment links between Italy and WA. 

Mr Marziano highlighted their decision to establish Australian headquarters in Perth underscores the State's attractiveness as a hub for clean energy innovation and its role in delivering large-scale battery energy storage projects across the country.

Mr Kosek shared APD Global's experience expanding into Italy's renewable energy sector and the opportunities emerging from the country’s decarbonisation efforts.

The panel closed with Mr Ciccarese sharing the key ingredients for building trust and successful partnerships with Italy. 

Adding a unique sporting perspective, event Master of Ceremonies Monica Beazley sat down with Football West President Jamie Harnwell. Their conversation explored the global appeal of Italian football, the excitement surrounding Calcio Italiano and the power of sport to connect communities, cultures and business networks.

The breakfast highlighted how strong people-to-people connections continue to create opportunities for trade, investment and collaboration. It also reinforced the growing partnership between WA and Italy, particularly across future energy, infrastructure and innovation.

As Perth welcomed thousands of visitors for Calcio Italiano, the event demonstrated that some of the most valuable opportunities created by major sporting events happen away from the stadium, opening doors to lasting economic and cultural connections.

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