Ministers from each of Africa's 52 countries attended the Italy-Africa ministerial conference on Thursday, highlighting Italy's key role in the continent and the "major" scope for its businesses to invest there, foreign minister Enzo Moavoero Milanesi said.
"Italy, which from a geopolitical viewpoint extends into the Mediterranean towards Africa from Europe, has the chance of major investment and employment opportunities for its companies," he told the meeting.
"There is also the prospect of developing trade and taking part in Africa's economic growth," he added.
The conference, which is taking place at the foreign ministry, aims to analyse economic cooperation and investment prospects "in-depth", as well as future cooperation between Italian and African universities and research institutions, especially in the field of training and education, the ministry said.
A total 350 delegates from all 54 African Countries and 14 international organisations, including the African Union, attended the meeting, according to the ministry.
