Ambassador of Italy to Qatar, H E Alessandro Prunas (centre), with other officials during the AgriteQ and EnviroteQ Exhibition yesterday.
The Ambassador of Italy to Qatar H E Alessandro Prunas disclosed that the Italian pavilion would provide a physical and virtual space for Italian companies to dedicate to their businesses at the Qatar International Agricultural & environmental Exhibition (AgriteQ and EnviroteQ).
The exhibition provides a designated platform for local and international agriculture stakeholders to exchange expertise, discover trends and developments, and seize business opportunities.
Eleven Italian companies, including AgriBio Srl, FaberCom, Fri-el Group, Idromeccanica Lucchini, Kiasma, Leonardo, Maire Tecnimont, NextChem, Ponics, Saipem, and Watercube are all participating virtually in the exhibition.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Ambassador Prunas said: “The whole concept is we provide a physical presence with an Italian look that allows several companies to participate. There are QR codes for visitors to scan and receive information about these companies. Apart from two companies present, the others don’t have a physical presence here, and we are helping them do that. We want to send an environmentally sound message; hence the QR codes would ease access to them.”
“These companies operate in agriculture and green technology, ranging from hydroponic technologies related to agriculture, recycling, and green energy. Italy has recently established a minister for ecological transition, and as a country, we are committed to that.
“We will also co-host with the UK the 26th UN Climate Change Convention. We have held a series of talks on the youth for climate life series to get the youth involved.
This is to showcase our broader political commitment towards a green initiative to save our planet,” he added. In terms of agriculture, the Italian Trade Commissioner to Qatar Giosafat Rigano said these companies could help Qatar achieve its food sustainability goals due to their specialization.
“In the last three years, Qatar launched the food (2019-2023 to coordinate efforts between different authorities to get the optimal use out of the country’s natural and water resources, and to insulate the country’s food needs from shocks) especially using the hydroponic system to produce agricultural products which is an essential element for the country. We have companies that can cooperate with the Qatari companies, and we can facilitate meetings between interested parties in this matter,” Rigano said.
He noted that Leonardo has developed a system using a satellite system to detect and balance the use of soil of water. The system also detects how much water the soil needs and the humidity level, which helps in agricultural development. The system also monitors infrastructure, preventing potential hazards and disasters.
