Italy has "intense" business ties and "a strong friendship" with Mozambique, populist premier Giuseppe Conte said after talks in Rome on Tuesday with Mozambican president Filipe Nyusi.
"Italy and Mozambique are bound by an intense economic partnership and a strong friendship," Conte told reporters at a joint press conference with Nyusi after their meeting.
The Italian government believes that it is crucial to invest in "bilateral cooperation" with Mozambique "in the wider context of a commitment to the African continent", Conte said.
Italy is the biggest European investor in Mozambique and "will continue to focus" on the country, where energy giant Eni and oil contractor Saipem have invested 35 million dollars, Conte said.
Conte said it had been a "pleasure" to meet Nyusi, who said their talks had been "relaxed and frank".
"We are open to dialogue over our relations - and not only in the area of business and environmental investment," Nyusi said.
Nyusi, who is on an official visit to Italy, said he had brought with him a business delegation of over 53 Mozambican investors.
"We want Italy's continuing support - for the good of our nation," Nyusi underlined.
Italy is already Mozambique's second biggest trading partner in Europe, and is eying new investment opportunities to cement its business presence there and become the country's top European partner.
Mozambique's oil-and-gas based economy is forecast to grow 4 percent this year and its government has numerous projects in the pipeline aimed at diversifying the economy.
