The Gauteng Provincial Government in partnership with the European House of Ambrosetti will from Tuesday 24- Wednesday 25 October 2017 host the South Africa/Italy Summit, under the theme: “Building on exclusive, influential community of leaders for growing their enterprises, their countries and their continents”.

The purpose of the Summit is to strengthen strategic and business relations between South Africa and Italy whilst exploring business development opportunities.

It will also seek to build a community of leaders that will reinforce the strategic relationship between South Africa and Italy and grow business companies in the two countries and on both the Africa and European continents.

This is the fourth South Africa/Italy summit hosted in South Africa, but the second to be hosted by the Gauteng Provincial Government.

The focus of the fourth Summit is on elevating the importance of this platform in strengthening South Africa - Italy investment and trade relations in the context of city regions.

The Summit was inspired by the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by the governments of South Africa and Italy at the “Regions of Africa Europe Forum” in Taormina in 2012. The two governments committed themselves to promoting bi-lateral trade and investment between their countries.

Over 40 leading speakers will attend the annual South Africa-Italy Summit, which will cover topics ranging from investment opportunities in railway transportation, energy infrastructure and pharmaceuticals and how Africa and Europe can work together to leverage project financing and public-private partnerships to boost long-term growth.

Gauteng Premier, David Makhura, Gauteng MEC for Finance, Barbara Creecy, Gauteng MEC for Infrastructure Development, Jacob Mamabolo, Minister for Small, Business Development, Lindiwe Zulu, former Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene and Alec Erwin, Chairman of UBU Investment Holdings are some of the dignitaries that will be in attendance at the Summit.

Italy is among the top investors in Africa and its total trade with the continent is fast growing.

During this week the Gauteng Provincial Government will also be signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Namibia, and host a bilateral with Zambia, in an effort to grow trade and investment in the province and stimulate national economic growth.

Details of the summit are as follows:
Date: Tuesday, 24 October- Wednesday, 25 October 2017
Time: 10h00
Venue: Hyatt Regency Hotel, Rosebank, Johannesburg

For confirmations contact Charmaine Kgopa on 0764997840 or Charmaine.Kgopa@gauteng.gov.za

For media enquiries contact Phumla Sekhonyane, spokesperson to the Premier on 071 860 4496 or phumla.sekhonyane@gauteng.gov.za