Italy to strengthen business ties with India: Romano Prodi

Chennai, Feb 10 (UNI) Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi today said Indo-Italian business ties would be strengthened further to take it to new heights.

Delivering a speech during the roundtable meeting with the Confederation of Indian Industy (CII) members here, he said Italian firms had much to offer to the Indian counterparts in the field of manufacturing sectors such as leather, tanning machines, textiles and agrifood.

''We fully reconcile to the new reality of India emerging as a key political and economic player not just in Asia'', he said adding ''we appreciate and welcome the major role it has assumed on the economic and trade scene, which is reflected by the crucial influence it exerts on the WTO negotiations''.

Mr Romano said the Italian government would extend any type of assistance to improve trade relations between the two countries.

''There are plenty of opportunities to be explored in both the countries and plenty of room for improving trade and investment '', he said.

The minister underlined ''this is why we have marked 2007 as special year for India''.

''We are planning to initiate a large number of trade and promotional events and gatherings, to facilitate and improve bilateral business relations,'' he added.

UNI