Italian enterprises to go on trade mission to Oman

Rome - A major Italian trade mission will take place for the first time in Oman. Eighty firms, most of which are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), will be in Muscat, together with Confindustria, Sace, Simest and ICE, the Italian Trade Agency. The mission will be led by the Undersecretary of State for International Trade and Investments of the Ministry of Economic Development, Ivan Scalfarotto.

"Our exports to Oman have tripled in the past 10 years. In this country, the government has launched an infrastructure investment plan accounting for over 100 billion dollars. I am sure that Italian engineering, which is an excellent 'Made in Italy' production, as are fashion and food. They will play a leading role in this area, boosting economic development and improving exchange and investments," said the Undersecretary.

"This is an industrial mission to support our SMEs in grasping the opportunities that will stem from the 900 million dollar bid which a large Italian company won for the construction of a portion of Liwa's industrial compound. I am sure that the visit will have a follow-up and will involve entrepreneurial associations interested in investing in the country," said Licia Mattioli, vice-president of Confindustria's internationalisation office.

"This mission will further promote trade exchange between the two countries," said Giovanni Sacchi, director of the Office for the Coordination and Promotion of 'Made in Italy' production, who will be representing ICE in Muscat. "We believe that the Sultanate, thanks to the dynamic economic policies launched by its government, will play a dual role of being a major market for our products and services as well as a hub for the entire Middle East," added Mr Sacchi.