Consorzio ZAI (representing the industrial agricultural zone of Verona) and China Telecom Europe Ltd. (CTE) have agreed to work together. They aim to improve telecoms, logistical and digital connections between the Quadrante Europa Interporto (Verona freight centre) and China.
The two organisations will involve all the companies based in the Interporto, and their regional offices, suppliers and customers with locations in Asia, in their plans.
The partners announced their Memorandum of Understanding on 4 October 2019, agreeing to:
- Identify ways to improve the data transmission network between the Verona Interporto area and Asia, especially China.
- Develop new technologies and assess how a direct connection to the China Telecom network through a POP in Verona’s Quadrante Europa could enhance the competitiveness of the Interporto’s logistics system.
- Promote opportunities for logistics and industrial development in the Verona region to Chinese investors.
A new working group now aims to turn the agreement into action and propose additional ideas.
The initiative is part of CTE’s Digital Silk Road development. Matteo Gasparato, President of Consorzio ZAI, spoke enthusiastically about the plans and the potential they offer. He said, “The future of logistics lies in new technologies such as 5G, Big Data, Internet of Things and Smart City. We can develop all of these more quickly and efficiently through this new relationship between Europe and Asia. We are taking the first step into the increasingly globalised market that characterises today’s trading relationships. This collaboration shows that Consorzio ZAI does not intend to simply suffer these changes. Instead we will play an active part in keeping the Interporto Quadrante Europa of Verona on top of the world.”
Mr Gasparato, and Nicola Boaretti and Giandomenico Allegri, directors of Consorzio ZAI, revealed the new collaboration with Charlie Cao, Managing Director of CTE; Alex Lin, Chief Representative of Itlay and Sefe Xie, Deputy Director of Mobile Business of CTE. Representatives of the Chinese business community in Italy joined them at the announcement: Mr Song, Chinese Consul General in Milan, Mr Yao, General Secretary of AICI (the Chinese business association in Italy) and Mr Wei, director of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China in Italy.
About China Telecom (Europe) Ltd. in Italy:
China Telecom Europe Ltd. (CTE) provides integrated telecoms and communications services as local solutions for Chinese companies and global solutions for multinational corporations. CTE’s unrivalled knowledge of the Chinese market, and regional offices across Europe, make CTE an ideal partner for European and Asian businesses looking to work in China and Asia.
Founded in 2007 to handle the European business of China Telecommunications Corporation, China’s leading telephone company, CTE’s mission is to build a digital silk road by connecting Europe with Asia. CTE has headquarters in London, England and offices throughout Europe including Italy (set up in 2018).