Addis Ababa: A high-level delegation from the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs led by the Director-General for Development Cooperation Stefano Gatti visited the Ministry of Finance.

The state ministers of finance, Eyob Tekalign and Semereta Sewasew, who welcomed the delegates, expressed gratitude to the government of the Republic of Italy for their support aligned with the government’s priorities, emphasizing the urgent need for accelerated financial assistance.

The Italian delegates for their part expressed satisfaction with the progress and a willingness to collaborate closely to expedite ongoing projects in areas of agro-processing, energy, jobs creation, improving coffee productivity and enhancing its value chains, urban development and expand development cooperation.

Moreover, as president of the G7, Italy pledged support for Ethiopia’s development aspirations, urging the Ethiopian team to leverage climate funds and the “Mattei Plan” for African development, announced by the Italian government in e
arly 2023.

With a focus on five major pillars-education and training, agriculture, health, energy, and water-the Mattei Plan will initially comprise nine pilot projects in Algeria, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Morocco, Mozambique, and Tunisia. The Plan seeks to establish a new kind of cooperation with African nations.

In conclusion, both sides agreed to strengthen communication channels to work closely for the mutual benefit of both nations and their people.

Stefano Gatti was accompanied by the Director of the Italian Development Cooperation Agency, representatives of Italian enterprises, Cassa Depositi Prestiti, and Agostino Palese, Italian Ambassador to Ethiopia, according to Ministry of Finance.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency