MBOMBELA – Mpumalanga is ready to become a strategic partner to Italy. The premier Mr David Mabuza left for the country to cement trade and investment opportunities on Thursday, his office announced.
According to Mabuza’s spokesman, Mr Zibonele Mncwango, the premier was expected to sign an agreement with SACE president Mr Amb Giovanni Castallaneta for the provision of financing for the construction of at least 10 hi-tech hospitals in the province, which he had announced in his state of the province address in February.
Aside from that, Mabuza, who met with various Italian business people and private companies such as CMC di Ravenna, Maiora Group, SACE and Tozzi prior to his departure, was expected to sign a bilateral cooperation agreement with the governor of Puglia, Mr Nichi Vendola on agriculture, water and rural development.
He was also expected to sign a bilateral cooperation agreement on trade and investment, energy, education, manufacturing, health care, tourism, infrastructure development, and sports and culture with the governor of Lombardy, Mr Roberto Maroni in Milan.
The delegation was furthermore expected to meet with the Italian vice-minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Mr Lapo Pistelli in Rome, in an effort to strengthen the relations between Mpumalanga and the two provinces.
“There are trade and investment opportunities available in our province for the Italian enterprises, and we are ready to be a strategic partner of Italy and serve as their gateway to the African continent,” Mabuza said in a statement.
Accompanying him on this week-long visit are members of his executive council, Mr Andries Gamede (agriculture), Mr Eric Kholwane (economic development and tourism) and Mr Gillion Mashego (health) as well as the heads of the departments and the Mpumalanga Economic Growth Agency.
In November 2013 the province had welcomed the Sultanate of Oman to establish economic and trade relations.
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