Amb. Fontana, 'political relations with Iraq excellent'

(ANSA) - ROMA, 16 DIC - Relations with Iraq "are very good; although I have only been in Baghdad for six weeks, I can say that, from a political point of view, they are excellent: there have been many exchanges of visits in the last two years and I am sure there will be many more in the future". This was said by Niccolò Fontana, the Italian Ambassador to Iraq, on the sidelines of the 17th edition of the Stati Generali della Diplomazia being held at the Farnesina.
    Even from the cultural point of view, the ambassador continued, relations are "excellent". As far as economic relations are concerned, Mr. Fontana noted that these are "good", but "something more could be done". "I understand, however," he stressed, "that many Italian companies, with the exception of the energy sector, may have some difficulty in interacting with a market like the Iraqi one, which is very interesting, but complex".
    According to the ambassador, the market offers "two main strands. That of infrastructure, because Iraq, "strong in oil revenues, which at this time have very high values, is able to invest capital in infrastructure projects that should revolutionise the structure of the country, with the creation, for example, of the 'Great Development Road', which crosses the entire country". The feasibility project, he continued, is the work of 'an Italian company: it would therefore be important for Italian companies to be included in the subsequent various calls for tenders, in order to take advantage of a very large project, both rail and road'.
    Another sector on which to 'focus more', Mr Fontana went on to say, is exports. 'There is a great demand for Italy, perhaps there is a little lack of supply'. The embassy is therefore preparing to seek, together with ICE, 'distribution channels to favour Italian companies'. Culture is also a very important strand: there are twenty-three Italian archaeological missions in the country 'which also give Italy great importance in terms of image,' the ambassador concluded.