Italy, Ghana mark 69th Independence anniversary with trade focus

Officials and business representatives met in Rome to mark Ghana’s 69th Independence anniversary while discussing ways to strengthen trade and economic cooperation between Italy and Ghana.

The event was organised by the Ghanaian embassies to the Italian Republic and the Holy See and held at the Waldorf Astoria Rome Cavalieri.

Ghana’s Ambassador to Italy, Mona Helen Kabuki Quartey, and Ghana’s Ambassador to the Holy See, Ben Assorow, delivered opening remarks at the ceremony.

Also addressing the gathering was Federico Bernardi, Deputy Head of the Office for Central and West Africa at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

The event formed part of activities marking Ghana’s independence under the theme “Building Prosperity, Restoring Hope.”

Discussions during the gathering focused on strengthening economic relations between Ghana and Italy, with attention on trade cooperation and partnerships between businesses in the two countries.

Participants also discussed ways of improving engagement between institutions, businesses and other stakeholders involved in economic cooperation.

A business session formed part of the programme and featured presentations from several Ghanaian companies.

The companies outlined projects and operations in sectors including digital technology, healthcare and agribusiness.

Fabrizio Lobasso, Deputy Director General for the Promotion of the Country System at the Italian foreign ministry, also addressed the session.

He said cooperation between institutions and mutual understanding were important factors in expanding business opportunities between the two countries.

Mr Lobasso also referred to Italy’s Mattei Plan, which seeks to strengthen economic relations with countries in Africa, including Ghana.

Confindustria Assafrica & Mediterraneo also participated in the event.

A representative from the organisation’s marketing and communications department delivered remarks on behalf of Flavio Rossano.

The statement indicated that Italian companies operating in Ghana are involved in sectors such as energy, logistics, construction materials, machinery, pharmaceutical technology, industrial refrigeration and vocational training.

Alessandro Cugno, Head of the Trade Training Office at the Italian Trade Agency, presented programmes implemented by the agency.

He outlined the Lab Innova for Africa programme, which provides technical and managerial training for Ghanaian companies.

The programme targets companies in the agri-food and information and communication technology sectors and seeks to promote innovation and collaboration between Ghanaian and Italian businesses.