(Jul. 18) The Sace, a group specializing in export credit and support the competitiveness of enterprises abroad, participates in the mission in sub-Saharan Africa led by Italy’s Premier Matteo Renzi (from tomorrow until July 21), which will visit Angola, Mozambique and the Republic of Congo and confirms “its commitment to accompany Italian companies in unexplored but with high potential markets,” according to a note to the Group. The portfolio of Italian export operations and investments insured by the Sace in sub-Saharan Africa is worth over 600 million euros, with an increase of 77% compared to last year. “A significant increase, which reflects the growing attention given to the region in recent years – a statement said – Sace has in fact its own office in Johannesburg and a desk at the Nairobi HQ of the African Trade Insurance Agency, of which it is a shareholder since 2009. During the mission, Sace will be present side by side to important Italian companies in the logistics industry, construction and energy, but also to SMEs interested to export and operate safely, with a total exposure of about 140 million euros.” Although better positioned in these markets, if compared to other European countries such as Germany and Spain, “in this area Italy – Sace stressed out – reflects the absence of established historical and cultural ties, like for Portugal and Brazil, main economic partners of Angola and Mozambique, and the high competitiveness of Asian giants such as China, India and South Korea, which are emerging as new players across the continent. Sace’s commitment goes right in this direction, trying to increase the penetration of Italian companies, especially SMEs, helping them to intercept the new growth directions to be explored.”
