Italian Deputy Prime Minister Massimo D' Alema told BuaNews, Wednesday the presence of so many Italian business leaders as part of the largest-ever official delegation of Italians to South Africa also underlines the extent of confidence in South Africa's democracy and its growing economy, he said.

Mr D'Alema, who is also Italy's minister of foreign affairs, said: “We have already very good relations politically, economically and the success of our visit shows clearly that Italy trusts South African development.”

“Without any doubt there is great confidence in South Africa, the country is growing, with high performance, an open market and at the same time [it is] politically stable, and we admire the democracy in South Africa and the high level of the ruling class,” he added.

Speaking in English at the end of the three-day visit and after visiting Robben Island and Cape Point, the foreign minister added that he was impressed by the high number of women in power in South Africa.

This, he added, sends out “a good signal” to the rest of the world, as Italy and South Africa continue to work closely together on resolving international crises as members of the United Nations Security Council.

Earlier, Italian Minister of International Trade, Emma Bonino, told over 100 Italian and South African delegates meeting at the International Convention Centre for a seminar on investment opportunities in the Western Cape that Italy appreciated the “moderating influence” that South Africa brings to resolving political crises in the world.

And with political links between the two countries already extremely strong and friendly, Ms Bonino said, the time was now ripe to strengthen business links.

Ms Bonino told the delegates, which included Western Cape Minister for economic development Tasneem Essop that from what she had learned during the three-day visit, she was all the more convinced that Italy's decision to make South Africa a “focus country” from 2008 to 2010 was “the right thing to do”.

She said South Africa's “energies and resources - not just natural [resources] but also high quality human resources” can be mobilised toward deepening business ties.

“The business environment is generally very friendly and receptive to trade and investment,” she said, adding that one could “hardly find a similarly attractive place to do business these days”.

She cited Cape Town's geographical position as a strategic hub, the logistic efficiency of the country's expanding ports as making it the “door to Africa”.

Also, strong similarities existed between the two countries' agricultural sectors, including comparable economic models based on the impetus of small and medium enterprises.

It is also the expansion of the SMMEs, which play a considerable role in Italy's economy that Italy could provide advice and assistance to South Africa, as the South African government embarks on several strategies to boost this sector in the local economy.

Another key area with huge potential for increased collaboration between Italy and the Western Cape, said Ms Bonino, was in the film industry.

Film is also an industry where Italy has been traditionally one of the strong players outside Hollywood, and where it has exerted an important counter-hegemonic influence to United States dominance.

“I would hope to see, within the framework of the bilateral cooperation agreements already drawn up, the beginning of a fruitful partnership between the Italian and South Africa cinema industries,” she said.

Lastly, another key area for Italian assistance would be towards helping South Africa for preparations towards hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

“But this is not just about football,” she said, adding: “Italy also hopes to be able to collaborate, through the participation of Italian businesses of excellence, in the various projects now taking shape, so that we may contribute to what we know will be a huge success for South Africa [in hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup].”

Source: BuaNews