On 25 October, Ambassador Fontana concluded his first visit to Basra. The meetings held with major Italian companies active in the area mainly in the energy, healthcare, and infrastructure sectors were both interesting and productive. The commitment of ENI, Gruppo San Donato, Progetti, and Technital was particularly appreciated for their development initiatives in southern Iraq, which contribute not only to the country’s economic growth but also to the improvement of social well-being in the communities where they operate.
The dialogue with local authorities confirmed the high appreciation for Italy and the strong interest in further strengthening bilateral economic relations. Governor Asaad Al Eidani reiterated his invitation to increase the engagement of Italian enterprises in carrying out new projects and creating additional commercial partnerships.
The visit also provided an opportunity to meet with local counterparts involved in development cooperation projects financed by the Italian Government through the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS). With the support of UNESCO, Italy is committed to improving access to inclusive and quality education in the Governorates of Maysan, Thi Qar, and Basra. In parallel, within the initiative supporting the local health system to mitigate the causes and effects of migration, the first delivery of medical equipment to the Basra Directorate of Health was carried out in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
