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Italy’s Meloni Discussed BlackRock Investments With CEO Fink

Giorgia Meloni (Liesa Johannssen/Bloomberg)

(Bloomberg) -- Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni discussed possible investments in the country by BlackRock Inc. with the US firm’s chief executive officer, Larry Fink.

The talks focused on strategic infrastructure such as data centers, as well energy and transport, according to a statement from the office of her cabinet on Monday. A working group will focus on potential collaboration, it added.

Before holding talks with Meloni, Fink met with Enel SpA Chief Executive Officer Flavio Cattaneo, outlet Il Messaggero reported on Tuesday, mentioning people familiar with the matter. According to the newspaper, BlackRock is considering to purchase some decommissioned carbon power plants from Enel to build data centers. 

The discussions with BlackRock are the latest sign of how Meloni’s government is seeking to attract North American investors. Last year, KKR & Co. bought the landline network of former phone monopoly Telecom Italia SpA in a deal valued at as much as €22 billion ($24.5 billion).

--With assistance from Antonio Vanuzzo.

(Adds Messaggero reporting in third paragraph.)

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