A 20-member Italian trade delegation comprising leading players in the manufacturing and agro-processing industries participated in the 7th Agrofood & PlastPrintPack West Africa exhibition.

Some Italian companies taking part in the 3-day exhibition include world-renowned machine, tools and equipment manufacturers including Promer srl, Cevolani, Melegari Technology, Riello and Irritec.

The Italian Trade Agency (ITA) set up a dedicated Italian Pavilion to host all 20 Italian companies at the fair.

Majority of the companies are into the production of equipment for plastics, printing and packaging as well as in the agro-processing processing industry.

Speaking at the official opening of the fair, Director of the Italian Trade Agency for West Africa, Dr Alessandro Gerbino described the fair as timely.

This, he said is because it will build partnership between Ghanaian entrepreneurs and their Italian counterparts.

Dr. Gerbino stated that, the Ghanaian manufacturing sector requires new technologies and the Italian companies are in the country to provide it.

“It is very important that Italian companies are familiar with the Ghanaian market to provide technical assistance and also be closer to their customers” he added.

Dr. Gerbino added that, majority of the Italian companies are ready to set up in Ghana due to the enabling environment.

For her part, the Italian Ambassador to Ghana and Togo, Daniela d'Orlandi, said 20 Italian manufacturers were at the conference to showcase their products and also exchange ideas with Ghanaian companies.

She said in spite of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the total trade volumes between Ghana and Italy was over €500 million in 2021 and in August 2022, the trade volumes has increased to €600 million.

H.E. Ms. Daniela d'Orlandi added that, Italy and Ghana have had strong bilateral relations which had worked well for the mutual benefits of the two countries over the years.

The Italian Trade Agency also organised a cocktail for participants at the Pomona Restaurant in Accra.

This creates a platform for Italian businessmen and their Ghanaian counterparts to build stronger relationship.

Present were the Italian Ambassador to Ghana and Togo, Daniela d'Orlandi, Deputy Ministers of Trade and Industry, Nana Ama Dokua Asiamah-Adjei and Herbert Krapah. Dr Alessandro Gerbino and many other business men and women also graced the occasion.