Sereni eyes fresh investment in Brazil during visit

Italy's deputy foreign minister Marina Sereni on Tuesday began a visit to Brazil in San Paulo, where investment opportunities especially in the infrastructure, agro-business, energy, tourism sectors were on the agenda in her talks with senior officials, the foreign ministry said.

There are around 5 million people of Italian ancestry and about 600 Italian companies in San Paulo, and during talks with the deputy governor of the State of San Paolo, Rodrigo Garcia, Sereni reaffirmed "the historic ties of friendship" between Italy and Brazil.

Sereni also met representatives of the Italian business community in San Paulo and discussed how to improve consular services and introduce measures to help Italian expatriate communities in Italy's budget, according to the foreign ministry.

Sereni received "a warm welcome" during her visit to the private Italian Catholic Eugenio Montale school - "an example of excellence in spreading the Italian language and Italian culture," the foreign ministry stated.

Sereni's next stop is Brasilia, where she was due to meet members of the Brazilian government and senior institutional office-bearers, the foreign ministry said.