The Hindu Business Line : India chosen as `focus country' for trade promotion with Italy

(FROM LEFT) Mr Kumar Krishnamoorthy, Italian Shipping Company Italia Marittima's (formerly Lylod Triestino) General Manager in India, receiving the Indo-Italian Chamber of Commerce award from Ms Emma Bonino, Italian Minister for International Trade, in Mumbai. Also seen is Mr Antonio Armellini, Ambassador of Italy in India. The Italian line started its service to India in 1870. — Paul Noronha

Mumbai , Jan. 7

Italy has chosen India as a `focus country' for trade promotion in 2007, the Italian Minister for Foreign Trade, Ms Emma Bonino, has said here.

She said her Ministry would organise special trade promotion events in India focusing on India-Italian collaboration in sectors such as infrastructure, defence, automobiles, fashion and design.

The Minister was addressing the members of the Indo-Italian Chamber of Commerce after presenting the chamber's awards.

She said the Year of Italy in India would lead to further development of trade and industrial relations between the two countries.

The Italian shipping company, Lloyd Triestino, which has changed its name to Italia Marittima Spa, was among the three companies, which received the special award of the Indo-Italian chamber of Commerce.

Llyod Triestino is one of the oldest shipping companies operating from India. It started the service to Mumbai in 1870 and the Indian office was opened in 1949.

Accepting the award from the Minister, Mr Kumar Krishnamoorthy, General Manager in India, of Italia Marittima said the company would be starting its new service to US East Coast as part of the IDX consortium, later this month. The company's own ship "Ital Onor" is expected to reach India ports by the last week of January, he said.

Italia Marittima offers services from Mumbai and JNPT to the Mediterranean, Europe Australia and US East Coast.

Indo-Italian chamber award was also given to Italian airline Alitalia and an Indian private company.