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President Mugabe with the Italian Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Stefano Moscatelli (centre) and trade attache Ms Roberta Abodi (extreme left) at the Italian Embassy stand during the Harare Agricultural Show last week

Business Reporter
Italian agro-industrial companies that exhibited new food processing technologies at the Italian Embassy stand during the just ended Harare Agricultural Show are keen to do business in the country.  Representatives from SINT Tecnologie srl and Agro Tech S & D held several meetings with stakeholders in the agriculture sector during the show. Indications are that the new technologies that were part of the companies’ exhibition generated a lot of interest among stakeholders including Government, farmer organisations and private individuals.

Mr Charles Dadie Dago, head of the Italian business delegation, said that as first time visitors to the fair, his team’s main objective was to explore the business potential and exchange information with stakeholders in Zimbabwe’s agriculture sector.

In an interview Mr Dago said: “Our first impression is that there is a huge potential for growth through value addition and processing. There is a lot of scope for development if farmers receive the right support mechanisms; both technically and financially.”

He said that the meetings and interactions during the show indicate that concrete business deals are likely to be finalised in the next few months.

This is in line with the companies’ long-term objective to establish a permanent presence in Zimbabwe through an official dealer.
SINT Tecnologie and Agro Tech S & D manufacture food processing equipment and accessories for the agro-industrial sector.

The companies offer versatile processing and value addition systems that can be custom made according to production levels and individuals farmers’ needs. These include animal slaughter and meat processing systems, dairy processing systems, processing and refrigeration systems for fruit and vegetables for production of value added products such as juices, jams and fresh frozen vegetables.

“We also focus on industry capacity building and development. In so doing we offer advice and training to enhance rural development to governments across Africa and work with the private sector to facilitate value addition to agricultural production through food processing,” said Charles Dago.

SINT Tecnologie and Agro Tech S & D have successfully implemented projects in Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Egypt, Gabon, Mali, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia.

The participation of Italian companies at the Harare Agricultural Show annually is made possible by the Italian Embassy in Harare.
Speaking on the Italian Embassy’s participation at this year’s show, Ambassador Moscatelli said: “Our objective is to showcase the various goods and services that are made in Italy in order to facilitate stronger trade relations between Zimbabwe and our country.”

Italian companies from different sectors including energy, construction, mining, agricultural machinery, motoring and foodstuffs were part of this year’s exhibition at the Italian Embassy stand.

These include Salini Costruttori, a global construction company that currently building the Tokwe-Mukorsi Dam in Masvingo province, Spodale Investments, Afrisun Marketing, Silica Mining Consumables & Agricultural Equipment (official agents for Casella Macchine Agrocole s.r.l., Faresin Industries, Total Dairy Management and Rota Guido), Associated Tyres (dealers of Pirelli Tyres), Tarrys (official agents for Landini and Gallignani brands) and Zimoco, the Zimbabwean dealers of top motoring brands Fiat and Alfa Romeo.

Italian brands are internationally renowned for quality engineering and superior technology.
The country offers a wide range of business and commercial opportunities and contributes more than 13 percent of the European Union’s Gross Domestic Product.

An important link for land, sea and air routes that provide a gateway to Europe, Italy is ranked sixth among Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries and fourth among European countries in terms of GDP.