The meetings will focus on the economy, energy in particular, but also issues related to the fight against terrorism after the attack on the Italian consulate in Cairo on July 11. According to the Egyptian government, several trade agreements will be signed during the visit, as well as a declaration of intent with which Italy commits to providing training and technical assistance to small and medium-sized enterprises and to sharing technology to help set up industrial centres in Egypt. One of these centres regards the manufacturing of furniture as part of an Egyptian plan to boost industry in the city of Damietta. On Thursday, a delegation of the Egyptian government visited Milan Expo 2015 on the occasion of the National Day of Egypt. "I am deeply moved to be able to celebrate the Day of Egypt with you Italians, our great friends," said PM Mahlab. "We have always appreciated our historical relations [with Italy] and the Egypt pavilion shows the evolution of agriculture from the Pharaonic era to the modern era as well as its connections with Italian history." The head of the Egyptian government also said he will invite PM Renzi to the inauguration ceremony of the new Suez Canal on Aug. 6. Italian Minister of Economic Development Federica Guidi was also at the Expo for the annual meeting of the Council for Italian-Egyptian trade. She stressed that "Egypt, with the help of Italy, has created great opportunities for the African continent. Italy is Egypt's most important European trading partner and Cairo is a key partner for Italy as well as for Europe." According to the minister, after the sociopolitical turmoil of recent years, Egypt has embarked on a road of reforms. The country is heading for stronger economic growth thanks to a series of investments and is contributing to the stabilisation of the entire Middle East and North Africa.
  On Tuesday, the head of the Egyptian government visited Turin, where he met representatives of the automotive industry. "Egypt needs the experience and assistance of Italy in technology and in many other fields," said Mahlab in a meeting with investors at the Italian Confindustria headquarters in Turin. The Egyptian government, Mahlab added, is working to increase Egypt's ability to attract foreign investment and to increase the country's growth rate. "Faced with a choice between being and not being, we have chosen to be. There are several investment opportunities and the Italian experience is needed in technology and in other fields."(AGI)