INTRODUCTION
In our last article we briefly introduced the idea of Zona Economica Speciale (ZES). The ZES Unica is Italy’s primary strategy to attract foreign direct investment to the south. Encompassing all municipalities across eight southern regions (Abruzzo, Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Molise, Puglia, Sicily, and Sardinia), it provides major tax incentives and a digital one-stop desk for faster permitting. Among the many areas involved in the developing process of the ZES, there is Salerno. In the past few years Salerno has become a vital and deeply integrated hub within the broader ZES Unica for Southern Italy.
IN DEPTH
What is ZES?
Starting January 1, 2024, the ZES was established. It encompasses the regions of Abruzzo, Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Molise, Puglia, Sicily, and Sardinia, replacing the previous regional SEZs (ZES) that had been in place since 2017.Within the ZES, both existing businesses and newly established companies can benefit from special conditions regarding investments and business development activities (Art. 9, Paragraph 1, Decree-Law No. 124 of 2023). For the years 2024 and 2025, a tax credit was introduced for investments in the Single ZES, in compliance with European state aid regulations. This credit is available to companies purchasing capital goods intended for production facilities located within the ZES, up to the maximum amount allowed by the 2022-2027 Regional Aid Map and within specified spending limits.
Additionally, for 2024 and 2025, a tax credit was also provided for investments in the primary production of agricultural products, fisheries, and aquaculture within the Single ZES. The 2026 Budget Bill (A.S. 1689) provides for the extension of this tax credit for the years 2026, 2027, and 2028, covering investments made from January 1, 2026, to November 15, 2028. The spending limits for this credit are set at €2.3 billion for 2026, €1 billion for 2027, and €750 million for 2028 (Art. 95). Furthermore, a tax credit is planned for investments in the primary agricultural, fishery, and aquaculture sectors, which will not be limited solely to the territory of the Single ZES (Art. 96).
Salerno
The province of Salerno is anchored by three primary, culturally significant territories: Il Cilento, Il Vallo di Diano, and the Monti Alburni. Together, they make up the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park, a massive, bio-diverse expanse stretching from the Tyrrhenian coast to the Apennine Mountains. Salerno has become a significant hub for foreign direct investment (FDI), driven heavily by its strategic geographic position. The city’s investments are concentrated in two primary sectors: agri-food (agribusiness) and logistics/supply chain. The city and its surrounding province have secured international investment by leveraging their strategic geography and targeted economic initiatives. The primary sectors driving this growth include:
Logistics & Maritime Transport: Salerno’s port is a key node for Mediterranean trade. Foreign capital and European funding have poured into expanding the port’s container handling, dredging operations, and creating integrated rail freight connections. The Port of Salerno is now closely integrated into the broader Single Special Economic Zone (SEZ) of Southern Italy, which offers tax benefits and administrative streamlining to attract foreign companies.
Agri-food & Processing: The province of Salerno is historically famous for its processing and storage of fruit and vegetables, accounting for roughly 13.5% of the Italian total in this niche. Foreign direct investment frequently targets this high-value agribusiness segment, which integrates primary agricultural production with modern, technology-driven packaging and distribution.
Manufacturing & Specialized Machineries: As part of the broader Campania region—the second-highest recipient of FDI in the South—Salerno benefits from foreign capital backing small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) specializing in mechatronics, packaging machinery, and automotive supply chains transitioning toward new technologies.
In addition, Salerno serves as an important and rapidly growing node for the Italian pharmaceutical industry. While the primary national hubs are clustered in Northern Italy (such as Lombardy), Salerno and the wider Campania region are recognized as a major center of excellence for pharma manufacturing, logistics, and biomedical research in Southern Italy. Manufacturing Expansion: The region is a vital player in pharmaceutical production. For example, in nearby Palomonte (Salerno province), Fisiopharma—acquired by the Chinese group Yfan Pharmaceutical—underwent a €27 million expansion to double its production capacity for injectable drugs and pre-filled syringes.
Biomedical & Clinical Research: Salerno is home to the EBRIS Foundation (European Biomedical Research Institute of Salerno), which focuses on molecular studies of human diseases, drug delivery systems, and pioneering therapies. Additionally, researchers from the University of Salerno are highly prolific in global medical and pharmaceutical open innovation studies.
Health-Tech Startups: Salerno’s Palazzo Innovazione serves as a major hub for health innovation initiatives, hosting accelerator programs in partnership with companies like Healthware
Group Logistics & Trade Hub: Because of its strategic location, Salerno’s port connections to North Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean make the area a key base for pharma supply chain management and international regulatory operations. There is significant institutional investment pouring into the area’s pharma logistics and back-warehousing platforms to support road and rail activities.
CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, Salerno is experiencing a significant surge in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and capital inflow, driven by major infrastructural developments, lucrative tax incentives, and a booming international tourism market. Salerno has seen a massive upward trajectory in inward FDI, with strategic investments in energy, manufacturing, and technology modernizing the local economy.
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