Rimini, Italy - 7-10 November 2017
Ecomondo 2017
Rimini, 7-10 November 2017 - ITPO Italy took part in the 21st edition of the Ecomondo international trade fair, supporting 3 delegations from Botswana, Iran and Ghana for a total of over 40 people among businesses and institutions. Ecomondo is the leading international trade fair on green and circular economy in the Euro-Mediterranean area. An international event with an innovative format that brings together all sectors of the circular economy in a single platform: from material and energy recovery to sustainable development. The event includes also Key Energy, the expo of “energy for the climate”, energy-efficiency solutions and applications and renewable energy.
UNIDO ITPO Italy developed actions in the environmental and renewable energy sector in particular in two countries: Botswana and Iran, aiming to strength capacities of developing countries in the implementation of the international commitments of COP 21. These projects are implemented in collaboration and with the support of the Italian Ministry of Environment Land and Sea. In this context and with the support of the fair organizers, UNIDO ITPO Italy coordinated and assisted business delegations of SMEs scouted in these target countries.
The delegation from Botswana, composed by 12 people, was integrated with companies dedicated to the distribution of technologies in renewable energy, institutions implementing biogas projects in the country as well as companies dedicated to green the residential and hospitality sector, companies working in recycling materials and representatives of the Ministry of Environment in particular in waste management, officials in charge of environmental sector in the three municipalities of Botswana (Gaborone-Capital, Francistown, Kgatleng), a representative of the Botswana Association from local authorities and representatives of the Botswana Investment and Trade Center (BITC).
The Botswana delegation has been engaged in an intense activity meeting with 60 companies in the field of renewable energy, water treatment and pumping sector, environmental sector as well as participating in two study tours, one in concentrated solar power visiting the company Soltigua and the second in biogas visiting the biogas installation of BIOMAX and a biogas installation with mix biomass thanks to Biological Care company who facilitate the visit.
The Iranian delegation was composed by a total of 16 people, 10 managers from 9 selected local companies, and 6 distinguished institutional representatives from relevant Iranian institutions and specialized agencies. The selected companies, operating in multiple sectors of activity, where mainly interested in purchase of technology and partnerships in the renewable energy, water treatment and waste recovery sectors. On November 8th, the Iran delegation participated in the previously mentioned visit to the plant of the company Soltigua, operating in the solar energy sector. On the afternoon of November 8th, the Iranian delegation attended a dedicated conference jointly organized by UNIDO ITPO Italy and the Italian Ministry of Environment to present the opportunities of investment and technology transfer in energy and environment scouted within the project implemented by UNIDO ITPO Italy in Iran. The aim of the conference was also to disseminate detailed information on specific procedures, concrete experiences and suggestions for Italian technology providers and stakeholders potentially interested to invest in Iran. Among the keynote speakers attending the event, we underline the remarks of the following Iranian institutional representatives: Dr. Madani, Deputy Head of Iran’s Department of Environment; Dr. Taheri, Advisor to Energy Minister in Environment Affairs and Director General of Environment, Safety, Health and Social Affairs in Ministry of Energy; Dr. Zarbakhsh, Manager of Training and Awareness at the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency organization (SATBA); Dr. Moghimi, Deputy of Planning at the Iran Small Industries & Industrial parks Organization (ISIPO); and Dr. Fazel, President of the ECO Institute for Environmental Science and Technology (ECO-IEST).
The mangers of the Iranian business delegation carried out more than 70 meetings with Italian exhibitors during the day dedicated to the BtoB session at the exhibition. The Italian Ministry of Environment pointed out the excellent collaboration with UNIDO ITPO Italy on this initiative.
Finally, the Ghanaian delegation composed by 14 delegates belonging to the Eco-building and construction, financial sector, rubber/plastic material and Oil&Gas downstream, carried out around 60 BtoB meetings with exhibitors and companies operating in waste and wastewater disposal, management and treatment, and technology providers for eco-construction and new material. The delegation, supported by ITPO Italy in the framework of the follow up activities related to past programme in “Energy and Environment” implemented in Ghana until 2015, was jointly organized by WTC Accra and led by Mr. Alfred George Thompson, Deputy Managing Director of the National Investment Bank of Ghana.As first follow up of this activity ITPO Italy paved the way for future exchanges of technical and economic proposals on specific technologies.
