Italy's trade with Africa is
worth some 34 billion euros a year and "can grow a lot," Premier
Paolo Gentiloni said Monday in Angola, the second leg of a
four-nation trip to Africa.
"Italy last year, with over 12 billion euros, was the third
world investor and first European in sub-Saharan Africa,"
Gentiloni told a press conference with Angolan President Joao
Lourenco.
"The involvement of the EU and cooperation (aid) is needed,
but we must involve foreign public and private investments for
the future of Africa," Gentiloni said.
Gentiloni also said Italy's preence in countries like Angola
can be boosted by Italy's economic recovery, and stressed that
"Italy clearly sees that the EU's future is at stake in Africa".
Lourenco urged Italian small and medium-sized firms to come
and invest in his country.
Gentiloni said Italy backed Angola's reforms and economic
revival.
Italian fuels group ENI signed two major deals with Sonangol
on the occasion of Gentiloni's visit.
The Italian premier started his tour in Tunisia on Friday to
Sunday, saying "we are protagonists of a new link with the
continent".
After Angola on Monday, he will fly to Ghana on Tuesday and
Ivory Coast on Wednesday.
Italy pays 94 million euros into the Valletta Fund for the
stability of Africa.
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