On 28th and 29th November 2022 UNIDO ITPO Italy and UNIDO Somalia supported the mission to Rome, Italy of a Somali delegation from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI) of the Federal Government of Somalia, represented on the occasion by Mr. Abdiaziz Ibrahim Adan and Mr. Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, respectively Director General and Director of the Industry Department at MOCI.

Aimed at facilitating meetings with relevant Italian stakeholders from the public-private arena in order to strengthen trade relations and cooperation between the two countries, this initiative was organized in the framework of the project “Productive Sectors Development Programme for Somalia” (PSDP) – implemented by UNIDO with the support of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF).

During the mission, UNIDO ITPO Italy’s Investment Promotion Expert Mr. Francesco Pallocca and the National Chief Technical Advisor of UNIDO Somalia Mr. Najib Abdi assisted the MOCI delegation in introductory meetings with Confindustria Assafrica & Mediterraneo and SIMEST, who respectively presented their network of Italian companies interested in the African market and their tools to support companies in the development of trade partnership; Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP Group) to introduce the Italian Climate Fund, financed by the Italian Government to address climate change in developing countries, with interesting opportunities should Somalia be included among its beneficiaries; and the Italian Trade Agency (ICE), to explore fairs and exhibitions where to involve the participation of Somali delegates, as well as to announce the potential opening of an ICE desk in Mogadishu, which will be key to provide a direct on-site support to Somali companies.