Internationalisation of Italian companies a key goal for Di Maio

The internationalisation of Italy's companies, including those in its economically under-developed South, boosting exports and creating jobs are key objectives for foreign minister Luigi Di Maio.

"At the helm of the foreign ministry, I have set myself clear goals: support for the internationalisation of companies and increasing exports, in order to create more employment also among young people," he tweeted on Thursday.

"We want to and must get the South's areas of excellence known worldwide," the tweet continued.

The tweet came as Di Maio signed an accord on the internationalisation of the Mezzogiorno with southern Italy and territorial cohesion minister Mara Carfagna at the foreign ministry in Rome.