L’ambasciatore Valerio Astrali, commentando l’iniziativa promozionale collegata alla celebrazione della Festa della Repubblica, ha dichiarato che l’Italia “ha investito largamente sia in lavoro che in risorse finanziarie per fare di questo Italian Festival un assoluto successo. Questo perché noi abbiamo una forte fiducia nel mercato sudafricano e nel potenziale delle compagnie italiane di farsi valere qui. Il messaggio dovrebbe essere chiaro – ha concluso l’ambasciatore – che noi siamo qui per restare e siamo impegnati nel consolidamento della nostra presenza nell’arena commerciale”.

 

In un’altra intervista il direttore dell’ICE, Giampaolo Bruno, ha dato sostanza alle affermazioni dell’ambasciatore Astrali, annunciando un progetto della Piaggio di realizzare nel KwaZulu-Natal una fabbrica per la produzione di furgoncini a tre ruote, che potrebbero contribuire alla rinascita economica delle zone depresse del Sud Africa, così come ebbero un ruolo importante nel Miracolo Economico italiano degli anni Cinquanta e Sessanta. Bruno ha anche rivelato che la Finmeccanica, dopo la visita del presidente sudafricano Thabo Mbeki all’Italia in marzo, ha deciso di organizzare una delegazione di imprenditori ad alto potenziale che dovrebbe visitare il Sud Africa nella seconda metà del 2007. Fra gli altri progetti in cantiere ve ne sarebbe anche uno che prevede la realizzazione di un polo della gioielleria nella zona dell’aeroporto di Johannesburg. Vi sarebbe inoltre un vivo interesse italiano a esaminare opportunità di investimento nei settori tessile e metallurgico, mentre in vista dei mondiali di calcio del 2010 in Sud Africa si starebbero valutando possibilità di collaborazioni e investimenti da parte italiana.

 

Festival is a showcase for expertise

 

“We are going to a great deal of effort and expense to make this Italian Festival and expo a resounding success,” says the ambassador, Valerio Astraldi.

“This is because we believe strongly in the South African market and its potential for Italian companies to make their mark here.

“The message should be clear — that we are here and we are here to stay, and are committed to consolidating our presence in the commercial arena,” says Astraldi.

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Italian firms hope to increase their market share in SA

 

ITALIAN companies are showing substantial interest in foreign direct investment in SA and several major initiatives are under way or are in the pipeline.

Gianpaolo Bruno, Italy’s trade commissioner for South Africa and the SADC countries, says: “We anticipate that this interest will materialise soon in investment initiatives in SA.”

For example, in the automotive sector, Piaggio, Italy’s largest manufacturer of city motorbikes and scooters (including Vespa), is planning a major investment in KwaZulu-Natal for a production line to produce three-wheel bakkies, he says.

These vehicles were the foundation of the Italian industrial and agricultural mechanisation process in the 1950s, and could be useful in assisting small enterprises in this country to become mechanised, says Bruno.

In addition, President Thabo Mbeki’s state visit to Italy in March has fuelled potential investors’ interest in textiles and the metallurgical sectors.

On the basis of that visit, Confindustia, the Italian manufacturers and investors association, has decided to arrange a visit for Italian companies to SA in the second half of 2007, says Bruno.

“We believe that with the rise of the middle-income South African consumer we have more and more opportunities for our companies to supply goods here and we hope to increase our market share in the medium term.

“We are looking at opportunities in SA related to the 2010 Soccer World Cup and we are ready to support those Italian companies wishing to take advantage of the business opportunities arising from the World Cup organisational process.”

Potentially, Italian involvement could include areas such as construction and services such as telecommunications, merchandising and security, Bruno says.

He says Italy has experience in staging mega sports events. This year Turin hosted the World Ski Olympics and there has been contact between the Olympics organisers and the South African Football Association to explore possibilities for co-operation, and to pass on the benefits of their experience, says Bruno.

Jewellery is another facet of Italy’s proven technological and design expertise in which it believes it can assist SA’s fledgling jewellery industry to develop. Bruno says there are ongoing discussions with Mintek, which is responsible for advising the South African government on the beneficiation process, about a proposed project to create a jewellery cluster close to Johannesburg International Airport as part of the industrial development zone.

He adds that a number of Italian companies are displaying their wares and expertise at the Italian Festival and exhibition at the Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton.

“We wanted to showcase flagship products this year — everything associated worldwide with Italian style, from sports cars to jewellery and food. Everything that reminds the consumer of Italian-made goods.

“They have to be 100% Italian products, made in Italy by Italian companies and exported to South African markets.

“In this way we can prepare the ground for a new wave of Italian companies to enter the South African market,” he says.

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ITALY is showcasing its technological and manufacturing expertise at the Italian Festival and an exhibition of Italian technology and products at Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton, which began last Tuesday and ends on Sunday.

Gianpaolo Bruno, Italy’s trade commissioner for SA and the SADC countries, says visitors to the festival can view internationally-recognised symbols of Italy's technological prowess, including Ferrari and Maserati sports cars, Vespa scooters, Ducati motorbikes, confectionery from Ferrero, eyewear from Luxottica and Peroni beer, among others.

A bar will provide Peroni beer free to visitors, and coffee lovers can enjoy free cups of Lavazza coffee, says Bruno.

“The objective of the festival is to consolidate Italy’s presence in SA and to make South Africans more aware of the high level of quality and expertise that goes into Italian manufactured products.”

A selection of Italian jewellery is on display. Tyre manufacturer Pirelli is presenting a video on its new calendar to the media, and is also screening its internet movie at the square, says Bruno.

A model of a motorboat, presented by Italian firm Fincantieri, will be shown in a specially constructed pavilion on the square, he says.

He says there will be an Italian fashion show tomorrow at the Fashion TV Cafe in Sandton City. Leading Italian fashion houses will promote the latest trends in Italian fashion.

Fiat Auto SA, who have built an athletic arena in Soweto, will stage the Soweto School Games at the venue on June 10, and on June 11 the company will host a Fiat motor day at Kyalami, where car enthusiasts will be able to drive Fiat and Alfa Romeo cars on the Kyalami race track.

Showcase of Italian heritage and culture

ITALY places considerable importance on the annual Italian festival held in SA, which is part of a drive to improve awareness in this country of what Italy has to offer.

The festival showcases Italy’s rich and varied heritage as well as its capabilities in the technical, economic and cultural areas.

This year’s festival, which began last month and still continues this month, is organised by the Italian embassy. Events to date have included the Fiat motor show, incorporating the launch of the new Fiat Panda 4x4, on May 22.

An exhibition of the work of the late Italian neo-realist painter Domenico Purificato takes place from today until June 26 in the Henri Preiss Hall at the Pretoria Art Museum. The embassy will also display some of his work at the Art Museum.

The election of Miss Italy SA will take place on the evening of June 10 at The Venue in Rivonia, Johannesburg.

This month an Italian film festival will be held at Ster Kinekor Cinema Nouveau theatres in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, featuring films by the renowned Italian director Lina Werttmuller, who will attend the showing. Admission is free and films will be screened during normal cinema viewing times.