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PM's visit will deepen economic ties: Envoy

Our Bureau

BANGALORE, June 20

THE Indian and Italian delegations to a seminar on Indo-Italian trade ties (June 26) will represent the sectors of potential economic cooperation -- infrastructure, energy, food processing and tourism, said Dr. Benedetto Amari, Italy's Ambassa dor to India, speaking to a select group of newspersons, here.

According to him, the 12-member Indian delegation would include the Goenkas, the Singhanias, the Modi group and NASSCOM, among others.

``Italian and Indian industries are structured similarly -- they are both dependent on small and medium enterprises -- and this can be the basis of positive economic cooperation. The economic similarity and potential for cooperation will become clearer, and deeper, after the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee's visit to Rome (June 25),'' said Dr. Amari.

A framework agreement on tourism will be signed by India and Italy during Mr. Vajpayee's visit to Italy.

Dr. Amari said the automobile, mechanical, food processing, leather, granite, garments and white goods sectors would be focus areas for trade cooperation: ``Fiat is making important investments in Maharashtra and also looking at Tamil Nadu. It will also be a part of the Italian delegation at next month's seminar (apart from companies such as Telecom Italia).''

As far as the EU is concerned, Mr. Vajpayee's visit to Rome will be important as a curtain-raiser for his visit to Lisbon said Dr. Amari. ``India has looked at EU substantially as an economic power -- which it is, more than ever before -- but EU now spea ks with a single voice. This `single voice' will sound clearly at the Lisbon meeting.''