CHENNAI: India must finalise its airports development and upgrade programme at the earliest to capitalise on the interest evinced by Italian companies in partnering in such projects.

This was the message Ambassador of Italy Antonio Armellini sought to drive home, while addressing members of the Tamil Nadu State council of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry here on Friday. He said Italy could share its expertise in food processing and infrastructure, two areas identified for growth by India. Many Italian companies were looking forward to the Indian plan; many of them managed intermediate airports and were interested in taking up similar projects in India.

Agro-business

Listing processing, packaging and cold chain as some areas of agro-business in which Italy could offer India assistance, Mr. Armellini said: "The amount of agro produce that goes waste in India is roughly equal to [the total] Italian consumption." There was colossal growth potential in agro business in India.

India was a priority country and Tamil Nadu an important area from the Italian perspective of enhanced trade and cooperation. An indicator of the significance attached to the State was the decision to conduct the Italian National Day (on Friday) celebrations in Chennai, Mr. Armellini said. "We are happy with what we have done [in trade and business], but not satisfied," he said. Information technology and road engineering were among the areas offering scope for more cooperation.

M. Rafeeque Ahmed, chairman, FICCI State Council, said Italy was India's fourth largest trading partner in the European Union and the 12th largest foreign investor. The Indo-Italian trade was steadily developing in the recent years; the balance of trade was in India's favour. The FICCI planned to take a high-powered business delegation to Italy in October, he said.

P. Murari, adviser to the FICCI president, called for tapping Italian expertise in restoration of art works.

Responding to this, the Ambassador said Italy had started a cooperative programme for restoration of the Ajanta Caves.

K. Elangovan, executive director, Council of Leather Exports, said Italian leather companies relocating to East European countries must consider shifting to India, as the cost of operations would go up once those countries join the EU. Tamil Nadu Industrial Guidance and Export Promotion Bureau director M. Velmurugan made a presentation on the advantages of investing in the State. Earlier, the Ambassador visited the Italy Visa Application Centre.

Calls on Governor

Mr. Armellini called on Governor Surjit Singh Barnala at the Raj Bhavan. Guido Sagone, Correspondent Consular of Italy in Chennai, was also present, says a Raj Bhavan release.

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