Italy has set up a China Task Force to boost economic relations with the Asian country, Italian Industry Ministry has said.
The task force aims to strengthen bilateral trade and investments, positioning Italy as "a privileged partner" in the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, the statement said.
China's "immense domestic market demands more and more quality goods (and) represents opportunities Italy should not miss, both in terms of exports and in attracting investments," commented Industry Undersecretary Michele Geraci.
Geraci was the head of the China Economic Policy Program at the Nottingham University Business School in Ningbo prior to his appointment to his post at the Industry Ministry.
Italy plans to set up new incentives to attract more Chinese investments. Meanwhile, the Italian government wants to promote Italian exports to the Asian giant, and attract more Chinese tourists to Italy.
Another objective of the China Task Force is to "facilitate the expansion of the green economy" in both countries.
Italian companies want to be involved in green economic development in China, and the government wants to facilitate the transfer of Chinese capital and know-how into Italy.
Furthermore, China's investment in Africa "offers Italy a historic opportunity for international cooperation in the socio-economic stabilization" of the continent. This will lift people out of poverty, stem migration to Europe, and create business opportunities for Italian companies, the statement said.