Hello everyone,
I am delighted to extend my greetings and appreciation to President Sangalli and all of Confcommercio for hosting this event focused on the Italian private sector’s involvement in the Mattei Plan for Africa.
From the outset, I am pleased that our nation’s economic and productive communities have recognized the importance and strategic significance of the challenge presented by the Mattei Plan initiative. The success of the Mattei Plan and its ability to establish a new model of cooperation and development with African countries will greatly depend on the contribution of our companies. Their talents and practical expertise are essential in supporting this initiative. What distinguishes the Mattei Plan from previous initiatives is its emphasis on achieving tangible results. Instead of merely outlining good intentions and principles, we have developed a plan with realistic goals and a well-defined timeline.
Recognizing the magnitude of this challenge, we sought the collaboration of a diverse group of representatives from Italy’s economic sector in the steering committee. Confcommercio has been a valuable partner in this endeavor, and I express my gratitude for the contributions and ideas shared so far, particularly your emphasis on vocational training. Your continued support in the months ahead is greatly appreciated.
The core of the Mattei Plan revolves around six crucial sectors: education and training, health, agriculture, water, energy, and infrastructure. Pilot projects are already underway in nine nations, including Algeria, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, and more.
We have also integrated this results-focused approach into our involvement with the G7. At the recent Summit, we collaborated with the African Development Bank and the World Bank to establish innovative financial tools for co-investment in Africa. By aligning the Mattei Plan with existing initiatives, especially in infrastructure investments, we are creating substantial opportunities for Italian companies. This includes supporting projects like the ‘Lobito corridor’ in Angola and Zambia.
Our efforts extend to facilitating collaboration between the public and private sectors in regions where Italy has not traditionally been active. Furthermore, we are committed to aiding the internationalization of Italian businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, by allocating resources from the SIMEST Fund to African investments.
In closing, our vision for Africa is one of partnership and mutual development, rather than charity or paternalism. We are dedicated to translating our intentions into tangible infrastructure, projects, and employment opportunities. I am confident that with the continued support of our Government and Italy’s economic community, we can collectively make a positive impact on our future and that of our African ‘neighbors’.
Thank you all for your dedication and hard work!
[Translated with gratitude]
