The need for a MoU was felt and agreed upon during the bilateral discussions between Shri Kamal Nath, Minister for Road Transport and Highways and Italian Minister for Economic Development, Mr. Paolo Romani in Rome on Wednesday. It was also decided that a trade delegation comprising of officials from the Italian Economic Development Ministry, Foreign Ministry and about 200 business delegates representing various sectors including Infrastructure would be visiting India in the early 2011.

Minister Nath also participated in a Round Table Meeting on Infrastructure opportunities in India, organised at Confindustria (Italian Confederation of Industrial Employers) on Wednesday, which saw a wide level of participation from the Italian Companies involved in Infrastructure sector. Italian companies such as Atlantia, FINCO, Ceo Maire Tecnimont, ASTRAL, Todini Costruzioni Generali, Alstom Favero & Milan Ingegneria Spa etc. participated in the meeting. A presentation was made on the quantum jump targets set for the development of National Highways in India, the progress achieved and the huge opportunities that the sector offers Italian companies. There was a fruitful exchange of ideas and suggestion from both sides. The Italian corporate sector in infrastructure industry showed keen interest in the highways sector of India.

Shri Nath was on a two day visit to Rome. A high Level Business delegation comprising of senior representatives from the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) accompanied the Minister.