The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani, received today in Rome the UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Kemi Badenoch. The meeting was followed by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (Declaration of Intent) for a Strategic Dialogue on Export and Investment Promotion.
Through the Memorandum, Italy and the UK aim to deepen the strong economic partnership between the two countries, adapting it to the ‘post-Brexit’ context. “This Memorandum represents a platform of enormous potential for the promotion of our exports and business excellences, with a view towards shared growth and prosperity for both countries, in full respect of EU competences and Italy’s EU commitments,” said Vice-President Tajani.
The Dialogue is set to establish a structured mechanism of consultation and cooperation between companies and Institutions in charge of internationalisation, with a focus on the most innovative sectors with high development potential, including ‘green’ economy, advanced technologies, life sciences, engineering and creative industries – topics on which Italy is focussing the candidature of Rome to the Expo2030. A further area of priority interest will be start-ups and technological innovation. Trade and Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch said: “It’s great to be here in Rome to strengthen the UK-Italy trading relationship that is already worth more than £43 billion. We deeply value our trading relationship with European countries. This partnership will create enormous export and investment opportunities in high-tech growth sectors of the future, helping to boost both of our economies.”
