Richmonds Olympic legacies may include more than just putting the city on the world map, boosting tourism and, of course, the oval.
It may also bear fruit with a collaboration between Canada and Italys aerospace industries.
A six-member delegation of aerospace industry leaders from Italys Torino Piemonte region visited Richmond earlier this month to meet with some of their counterparts from local aviation and aerospace businesses.
The delegation was exploring opportunities for new business development, potential partnerships and other collaboration.
Italys aerospace industry is ranked seventh in the world and the Torino Piemonte region features more than 90 companies, employing more than 12,000 people and generating 2.6 billion Euros annually in economic activity.
Torino and the Piemonte region were hosts for the 2006 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
A Richmond mission, criticized afterwards for how much the trip cost, attended the 2006 Games, establishing contacts between the two regions that led to the recent visit.
Representatives from about 15 local aerospace and aviation business and organizations met with the Italian delegation at oval for an information session and reception, which was followed by local site visits.
Ebco Industries, the BC Aviation Council, Pacific Avionics and Instruments and the BC Institute of Technology were among those participating in the exchange.
Coun. Derek Dang welcomed the Italian delegation on behalf of Richmond City Council.
He noted Richmonds long history as a leader in aviation and aerospace and the strength of the local industry, which includes a number of international leading firms.
We hope this is only the beginning of a long and rewarding partnership, Dang told the Italian guests.
The networking reception was hosted by the City of Richmond and Italian Chamber of Commerce in Canada.
