With the 150th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Rome and Tokyo approaching, Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Benedetto Della Vedova embarked on a 3-day mission to Japan aimed at underscoring the already excellent bilateral political, economic and cultural relations that bind Italy and Japan, and at strengthening bilateral economic/industrial relations through Italian investments in that country.
Starting off a full calendar of meetings, Della Vedova will take part in the 27th Assembly of the Italy Japan Business Group in Sendai, in the Tohoku region devastated by the 2011 tsunami and today a symbol of rebirth. Other participants will include Japan’s Deputy Minister for Trade Tsuyoshi Hoshino, Finmeccanica CEO Mauro Moretti and Mitsui Bussan President Masami Lijima. The meeting’s theme will be Rome-Tokyo industrial cooperation, with a special focus on the aerospace, transport, technological innovation and agro-alimentary sectors.
The under-secretary’s objective will be to “raise the level of bilateral economic relations by means of the greater presence of Italian leaders in key sectors such as infrastructure, construction, technology, clean tech, agro-industry, without neglecting the ‘other side of the coin’: attracting Japanese investments in Italy”. Entirely dedicated to this latter aspect will be the “Invest in Italy Roadshow” of 18 November, the second after that held in Turkey, promoted by the Ministry of Economic Development and the Agenzia ICE in collaboration with our embassy in Tokyo. The roadshow will illustrate the opportunities for Japanese firms in Italy to a broad range of potential investors, and announce the opening of a dedicated “Investment Desk” at the ICE Office in Tokyo. “An important opportunity to explain the Renzi government’s reforms for improving the investment climate and boosting growth”, explained Under-Secretary Della Vedova, who is ready to show how “Italy has risen to 12th place on a global scale for investment appeal”, according to the latest AT Kearnet FDI Confidence Index.
The Senator’s Japan visit will also include bilateral meetings with Deputy Prime Minister for Trade Hoshino and with the Deputy Minister for Infrastructure and Transport.
Della Vedova will discuss other politico-strategic topics in a bilateral meeting with Parliamentary Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Miki Yamada, with whom he will examine themes of common interest such as the strategic partnership and free trade agreements with the EU, as well as pressing issues such as the fight against terrorism and the migration crisis.
