The role of the space economy in the strategic growth for the future of Veneto and in the regional ecological transition were the focus of a round table this morning as part of the second day of Space Meetings Veneto. Speakers included Santo Romano, director of the Veneto Region’s Economic Policies, Human Capital and Community Planning Area, Federico Zoppas, president of the AIR Regional Innovative Network, and representatives of universities and companies.
The New Space Economy, it was emphasised, represents one of the most promising development trajectories of the world economy in the coming decades: in 2023, its value at global level, which continues to grow, was estimated at USD 509 billion, of which as much as USD 402 billion is the estimated value of the downstream sector alone, mainly driven by the growing demand for services (in particular telecommunications, satellite navigation and earth observation) with a global value of USD 390 billion.
Veneto, it was pointed out, is the third region in Italy in the aerospace sector. The sector is worth about EUR 2.2 billion in turnover (+22% compared to the previous year, 63% of which is achieved abroad) and has 260 companies. In the region, there are industrial excellences in every sector (such as telescopes, remote sensing, components and cyber security) and it is already a crucial driver of growth and employment that can contaminate many other sectors such as precision agriculture, medicine and automotive. The Regional Innovative Network for Aerospace, the most relevant reality in the sector in Veneto, which deals with the transfer of innovative technologies between the aerospace sector and the industrial supply chain in the area, includes a Technology Transfer Centre, four Veneto University Departments, the UniVeneto Foundation and 56 companies (49 of which are SMEs and 7 large enterprises) with a workforce of about 5,000 employees and a turnover of about EUR 1 billion.
The Space Economy, to the support of which part of the 185 mil from the ERDF 2021-2027 contributes (it was 114 mil in the 2014-2020 programming period), has established itself as one of the main Vision elements of the regional economic-strategic policy with the Smart Regional Specialisation Strategy – S3 Veneto.
The topics of sustainable space technologies, which ensure a harmonious coexistence between space exploration and environmental management, with considerable opportunities for companies, institutions and citizens, and of Earth observation services to make our Planet more sustainable and support the green transition, are also at the centre of the debate.
Space Meetings Veneto is the international event promoted by the Veneto Region and the AIR Regional Innovative Network – Aerospace Innovation and Research, which brings together in Venice, from 20 to 22 May 2024, the main global players in the space economy and emerging technology sectors, to discuss the latest developments in the world of satellite applications, innovative technologies, supply chain and investments. More than 250 aerospace companies from 22 countries, 150 Italian and international buyers and 25 European start-ups are expected to attend. The event is spread over three days, dedicated to three different focuses: 20 May – Investment Forum, 21 and 22 May dedicated to Space & UAV Suppliers Summit, Sport & Space and Space Wine & Agritech Expo.