(26 April 2017) Over 60 companies, 6 of which industrial and trade Associations, 4 Universities and Research Centres, 8 Banks, the CDP Group totalling 150 participants and approximately 800 business to business meetings (B2Bs) between Italian and Indian counterparts. These are the numbers of the business venture launched in India (April 26-28) by the Ministries of Economic Development, and of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation with the organisation of ICE Agency, Confindustria, ABI, Unioncamere and Rete Imprese Italia. The delegation, led this year by Undersecretary for Economic Development, Ivan Scalfarotto, will be attended by Michele Scannavini, President of ICE Agency; Licia Mattioli, Vice President of Confindustria for Internationalization; and Guido Rosa, Vice President of Abi for internationalisation. The multi-sectoral mission will travel to New Delhi and Mumbai and focus on Infrastructure and Construction, Mechanics, Automotive, Renewable Energy and ICT. This is an important opportunity to boost economic cooperation between the two countries and to deepen business and investment opportunities for Italian companies. "We go to India with a particularly robust and qualified delegation," according to Undersecretary of Economic Development, Ivan Scalfarotto. "It is an indispensable feature for relations with a country that is extremely important from an economic, geographic, and demographic point of view. India is the sixth largest economy on planet that has recently shown great dynamism backed by public policies that open up great opportunities for Italian companies. These opportunities are linked to the ongoing infrastructure and development processes in the country and to the presence of a growing middle class whose lifestyles and levels of consumption welcome the integration of Italian excellence". Business Forum Italy - India will be held on April 27, followed by a session of business meetings between Italian and Indian companies. The mission will then end in Mumbai, where the Forum on investment will be held in the morning on April 28 at the St. Regis hotel followed by another session of business encounters with regional operators. (Red)

A DYNAMIC ECONOMY

According to Michele Scannavini, President of ICE Agency, "the strong growth recorded in recent years and the estimates of a 7.2% GDP increase by the end of 2017, make India one of the most dynamic economies in the world. One of the factors behind this growth is the progressive integration of the Indian economy into the global one and a greater opening towards international trade - events that result in opportunities for the Italian system". Licia Mattioli, Vice President of Confindustria for Internationalization explains: "we chose to return to India seeing as how consumption continues to be driven by the dynamism of the 'aspiring middle class' mainly composed of young people whose average income is steadily rising. It also highlights the demand for high quality products, with interesting opportunities for our businesses". According to Guido Rosa, Vice President Abi for internationalisation,"The Italian banking delegation will meet with the Indian Central Bank (RBI) and local banks accompanied by their Banking Association (IBA) with the aim of focusing on the state of interbank relations, and to strengthen support offered to Italian companies, both from Italy and directly in India,