African and Italian business leaders will meet in 2012 to discuss bilateral investment opportunities between the two parties.
The World Trade Center Africa Initiative has entered into an agreement with Italy that will realise new business opportunities between the two, based on the African continent. In 2011 alone, The World Trade Center Africa Initiative has built up a portfolio of more than $2 billion in business investment in Africa through some 275 projects. And the future is looking bright, thanks to Africa being the least affected economy hit by the global recession.
In September 2012, business leaders from 12 African countries will travel to Italy where they will discuss business opportunities in Africa that will prove fruitful for international investors, including opportunities in energy, agriculture, mining, commodities and minerals, ICT, infrastructure development, manufacturing and tourism sectors.
According to Julius Steyn, the president of the World Trade Center Africa Initiative, this summit will serve to strengthen ties between African countries and Italy, as well as provide a great platform for business investment in Africa.
There have always been good relations between Italy and Africa, but this initiative is the first to showcase Italian products and services to Africa and has received the enthusiastic support of the Italian authorities who are looking for new emerging market partners given the slowdown in the Eurozone.” He added that Africa “represents a unique investment opportunity to the world and has proven itself to be the most resilient regional economy”.
The Afritalia talks will take place in the Italian city of Chieti in September next year.
For more information, contact Vanessa du Plessis at WTC at vanessa.du.plessis@wtc.co.za
