RIYADH: Italy and Saudi Arabia share similar visions for the future, according to the president of the Lombardy region.

Attilio Fontana and his delegation expressed confidence in the potential for stronger cooperation during their visit to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.

They aimed to explore new opportunities with Saudi officials and engage with Italian companies at the Interior Design and Furniture Exhibition in Riyadh on Tuesday.

“I believe that between Italy and Saudi Arabia, it’s possible to work very heavily together. And I think that we can engage,” Fontana told Arab News.

“The important thing … in Italy and in Saudi Arabia, is a view of the future, a vision of the future that is very similar. So, on this object, we can work together.”

Highlighting the significance of Italian participation at the exhibition in Riyadh, Fontana said: “You know, I believe that it’s very important for our entrepreneurs to know this merchant (Saudi Arabia) and to have the possibility to come here and to export because your country is very similar to our region.”

Ambassador of Italy to Saudi Arabia Carlo Baldocci also attended the exhibition.

“Italy is the second (largest) number of exposures in the firm, which means that there is a huge potentiality for stronger collaboration,” he said. “It looks very interesting and very promising; a lot of new companies are coming from Italy.”

“A big group of companies was also present last year in the past editions and the fact that Italians are increasing their numbers means it is very significant to us,” the ambassador said.

Baldocci underlined the importance of Fontana’s visit to Riyadh for Saudi-Italian cooperation: “It is very important; Lombardia is a model, a significant model also for Italy and Europe.

“We can establish strong collaboration in many fields, bilateral on both sides, so there would be advantages for the Italian side and Saudi side; it’s a win-win situation.”

Asked about sectors for growing partnerships between Saudi Arabia and Italy, he said: “I see many areas of technology, from high technology to fashion, design, automotive.

“On the cultural field, there is a highway of collaboration between Lombardia in Italy and Saudi Arabia, and in many other sectors too,” he said.

The president of Lombardia and the ambassador of Italy toured the exhibition areas and met Italian company representatives during the exhibition.

Among the more than 78 Italian companies present at the exhibition were Chairs and More, AMG, ArcaHorn, MIDJ, Vigano, Zanetto, and many others.

Discussing the many Italian companies showcased at the exhibition, Romano Baruzzi, director of the Riyadh office of the Italian Trade Agency, said: “All of the sectors are represented.”

Baruzzi said that while many Italian companies were already active in the Saudi market and had established local partnerships, several were still seeking to explore new avenues for growth in their collaborations.

“It’s a good opportunity if you consider that this is the fourth edition in terms of growth and the presence of companies; it’s a very big number,” he said.

Baruzzi said that some of the feedback he had received from Italian companies indicated that they were aware of the continuing expansion of Riyadh.

“I think we can offer very good opportunities for the Italian companies here,” he said.

Fontana, along with his delegation, will hold multiple sideline meetings with Saudi officials in culture, fashion, technology and innovation during the visit to the Kingdom.

The INDEX exhibition, focusing on interior design, takes place from Sept. 17-19 at the Riyadh Front Exhibition Center, welcoming local and international participants to showcase the latest innovations in design.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Environment Fund on Wednesday signed an agreement with the Public Investment Fund-owned developer ROSHN to stimulate investment and boost research into sustainable building practices.

The agreement focuses on exploring sustainability in building designs, improving building standards, and introducing incentives to encourage environmental development practices.

The memorandum of understanding also aims to build upon the relationship between both parties, working toward the common goal of achieving environmental sustainability.

Both ROSHN and the Environment Fund will work together to improve awareness about environmental issues, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

Fawaz Al-Enezi, vice president of marketing and communications, signed on behalf of the Environmental Fund, while Wassim Khashan, executive general manager of marketing, signed for ROSHN Group.

Also on Wednesday, ROSHN signed another MoU with the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification, pledging to work together to increase vegetation cover and combat desertification.

The agreements were signed on the sidelines of the opening of the ROSHN Green Initiative Center in Riyadh.

The center will have a tree nursery that will produce greenery for ROSHN communities and surrounding areas.

The center will also have an educational hub that will be open to the public, offering interactive learning sessions for members of the public and organizations interested in supporting the Kingdom’s sustainability programs.

According to the company, ROSHN’s Green Initiative has so far produced more than 32,000 seedlings, 25,000 mangrove trees, and 4,300 other trees planted across the Kingdom.

More than 3,000 volunteers and 75 schools were enlisted to help achieve these results.

When fully operational, the center is set to be able to produce around 2,000 trees per year.

ROSHN is a major developer that was launched as part of Vision 2030, aiming to develop more than 400,000 energy-efficient homes in pedestrianized communities.

Tasked with developing a number of housing projects around the country, ROSHN espouses a particular focus on improving the quality of living for residents.

The Environment Fund was established in 2019 to provide financial support to environmental and meteorological initiatives.