Sept. 24 – The ICE Agency for the promotion abroad and the internationalization of Italian firms and the Italian Exhibition and Fairs Association (AEFI) continue their world tour of major international agriculture and food events, to promote the upcoming Universal Exhibition in Milan. The “Road to Expo 2015” project is promoted by the Ministry of Economic Development for the development of the Italian agri-food industrial system. In this context, the project both supports the Italian trade fair system and strengthens relations and activities with specialized operators. Exhibitions are of strategic importance to the Italian agribusiness sector, which has certainly grasped their value and potential, as demonstrated by Italy’s participation in national and international events: 605,554 square meters of exhibition area, 14,000 exhibitors, 1.4 million visitors, including nearly 250,000 from abroad. The first foreign stops of Road to Expo 2015 took place in New York at Fancy Food, at World Food Moscow, and Space 2014 in Rennes. Activities will continue until April 2015, emphasizing not only the excellence of Italian food, but the entire national exhibition system. The tour will touch down in key markets such as Germany, France, USA, Japan, Russia, China, the United Arab Emirates and South Africa. “Our activities so far have given us cause to celebrate – comments Ettore Riello, AEFI President – as we receive positive feedback from those operators who, through us, were able to grasp important opportunities to expand their network and develop new business opportunities.” As the project gains traction, an increasing number of actors is joining in. For Italy, the three latest entrees are: Biolife (Bolzano, 7-9 November 2014), Interpoma (Bolzano 20-22 November 2014) and Planet Gourmarte (Bergamo, 29 November-1 December 2014). Abroad, there are Vinitaly Russia (Moscow, November 19, 2014) and Sial Abu Dhabi (Abu Dhabi, 24 to 26 November 2014). (Red)
