The “Italy-Africa Business Forum”, held on March 20^th 2014 was organized by Confindustria in partnership with ICE Agency, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Economical Development. The Forum counted on prestigious speakers, namely: Mr. Paolo Zegna, president of the technical committee for internationalisation in Confindustria, who opened the event; Minister of Agricultural Policies Mr. Maurizio Martina; the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Lapo Pistelli; the Deputy Minister of Economical Development Mr. Carlo Calenda; UNIDO ITPO Italy’s Director Ms. Diana Battaggia; and the ICE Agency President Mr. Riccardo Monti.

Specifically, the opportunities of sustainable industrial development in sub-Saharan Africa were the centre of the speech held by Ms. Diana Battaggia, which underlined the important expansion of this region: six out of the ten of the most progressing economies are Sub-Saharan countries, which are averaging an 8% GDP growth. «The agriculture and agro-industry sectors – explained Ms. Battaggia – are definitely the most important ones. 50% of non cultivated arable land in the world is located in Africa: an extraordinary resource for the increasing demand of food worldwide».

During the second part of the Forum a country presentation on Mozambique was held and attended by the Minister of Industry and Trade of Mozambique Mr. Armando Inroga and by the president of Confindustria Mr. Giorgio Squinzi. The presentation ended with the signature of an understanding agreement on agro-industry, one of the most productive sectors of the country’s economy. The Forum was an occasion for the institutions, companies and experts to discuss and explore the possibilities of investments and cooperation that Africa has to offer, and creating new approaches that can assure sustainability, security and synergies between Italian and African partners.