Ecco Chamber
Fortnightly Italian news made in South Africa
II edition January 2025
A Shot of Light
Chambers Note
A Shot of Light
A Chamber of Commerce, like the rising sun climbing slow and golden over a land shrouded in mist, stretches its light across a city and nation, touching each corner with its light and silent insistence. In its ascent, it holds a promise—unseen but certain—that today can be more than yesterday, that the coffee be richer, the Prosecco that bit more crisp and that the shopkeeper’s bell might ring truer.
It is not the sun itself that tills the field or turns the key in the door, but without its light, the labor would remain unseen, unconnected, untended. Our intention is that the Chamber's presence is steady, sometimes unnoticed until a shadow falls, where its absence is felt as keenly as the sun on a cold cloudy dawn.
In this week’s Ecco Chamber, the rising sun is our source of inspiration, not least because we are preparing our delegation for K.eY Energy in Italy, where the imminent rise of solar power is on impressive display. The first edition in our new Coffee and Conversations event series, uses the morning as a time to network and deliver insights before starting with the rest of our day. Finally the opening of nominations for the Business Excellence awards is a search light for our brightest achievers.
Under the sun’s watch, people move, bound not by chains but by the quiet, unspoken ties of trust and ambition. ItalCham casts no shadow; it lifts them instead. Bridges are built, hands clasp in commerce, and the fabric of our two countries—their goods, their dreams, their tangled hopes—are stitched more tightly together.
The rising sun does not choose the field it shines upon, nor do we pick our favourites; it glows for all, because without all, the day would never come.
SIGEP World 2025 Experience
A Noteworthy Experience for South African Companies
We were honoured to accompany an outstanding group of South African companies participating in the International Buyers Programme at the 46th edition of SIGEP WORLD – The World Expo for Foodservice Excellence, held from 18th to 22nd January in Rimini, Italy.
A big thank you to Liquid International, Baglios, Croydon Bakery, and Cradle Boutique Hotel for their engagement and enthusiasm. These days were filled with meaningful connections, new friendships, and promising opportunities for future collaborations.
Highlights from SIGEP WORLD 2025:
1,300 exhibiting brands from 33 countries
30 halls and 138,000 square metres of exhibition space
Over 3,000 international buyers, including 545 top buyers from 79 nations
Visitors from 160 countries, with a remarkable +30% increase in African visitors, with South Africa, Nigeria, and Senegal well represented
This year’s edition marked the most international SIGEP WORLD to date, reaffirming its global leadership in the Gelato sector.
Significant growth was also seen across other key areas:
+30% increase in coffee-related companies
+50 new companies in the pizza sector
Discover more about the 46th edition of SIGEP WORLD by clicking the button below:
Read the Final Press Release
See You at SIGEP WORLD 2026!
We can’t wait to relive this experience from 23rd to 27th January 2026!
NAVIGATING SOUTH AFRICA'S VISA CHALLENGES
COFFEE AND CONVERSATIONS
South Africa’s visa system is a critical component of the country’s economic landscape, impacting everything from talent mobility to foreign investment. However, navigating the complexities of visa regulations can pose significant challenges for businesses, expatriates, and individuals seeking to work, invest, or settle in South Africa.
The Coffee and Conversations series provides an informal yet impactful platform for thought leaders, business professionals, and policymakers to discuss key issues affecting South Africa’s socio-economic development. This session will focus on identifying solutions and fostering collaboration to improve visa-related processes and outcomes in South Africa.
Come dive into the complexities and silver linings surrounding South Africa’s visa system.
L'Italia in 10 Selfies
A human-centered economy that helps build the future
“Italy in 10 Selfies” every year tells about some of the country's records, often little-known or underestimated ones, that determine the features of an economy that is more human-oriented and, therefore, more promising for the future. Ecco Chamber will feature some of these factual selfies in the upcoming editions.
THE WORLD'S LARGEST SUPPLIER IN THE RENEWABLE
ENERGY SECTOR IS ITALIAN
Enel, through its subsidiary Enel Green Power, is the world's largest private supplier in the renewable energy sector with 63.3 GW of Gross Installed Capacity in 2023 (values including Energy Storage System values) from wind, solar, geothermal and hydro plants located in Europe, the Americas, Africa, Asia and Oceania.
It is followed by France's Engie (45.4 GW) and Spain's Iberdrola (42.2 GW).1 Enel is building Europe's largest high-performance bifacial PV cell and module production plant in Catania, which at full capacity will have a production capacity of 3 GW per year, a plant that will be fully operational at the end of 2025.
In 2023, Italy ranked among the top 10 PV markets in the world with 5.2 GW of new solar power plants installed.
EU-Zimbabwe Business Forum
Harare, Zimbabwe
20-22 May 2025
The European Union (EU) Delegation to the Republic of Zimbabwe, in partnership with European Union Member States, is organising the first European Union Zimbabwe Business Forum to be held from 20 to 22 May 2025. The forum will be planned in partnership with the Zimbabwe Investment & Development Agency, ZimTrade and the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries.
This initiative aims to promote trade and investment between the EU and Zimbabwe, within the framework of the Global Gateway. The EU offers a multi-sector range of financial guarantees to de-risk investments, thus supporting private European investors to explore opportunities in challenging markets, particularly in Africa and the EU Neighbourhood.
Why explore Zimbabwe as an investment destination?
Zimbabwe is strategically located in Southern Africa, with access to a large and growing regional market (SADC, COMESA, AfCFTA), and contributing significantly to regional trade and connectivity. The country is rich in natural resources, including an abundant and diverse mineral resource base.
There are opportunities for investment in agriculture, infrastructure development, manufacturing, tourism and other services; Government is making effort to improve the business environment.
An array of fiscal incentives that investors can enjoy have been put in place including tax holidays, duty free importation of raw materials, intermediate products, equipment, and machinery.
Follow the link for more information: https://zidainvest.com/why- zimbabwe/
Contact Information:
European Union Delegation to Zimbabwe
Programme Manager: Tsitsi H Whata
Email address: DELEGATION-ZIMBABWE-PRIVATE-SECTOR-AND-TRADE@eeas.europa.eu
opportunity to Host Italian Studies Interns
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ItalCham is proud to be a part of an exciting new initiative designed to connect South Africa’s two Italian Studies Departments, at Wits University and the University of Cape Town (UCT), with Italian businesses operating in the country. With the backing of the Embassy of Italy in Pretoria, the Consulate General in Johannesburg, and the Italian Consulate in Cape Town, the Bridging Opportunities project seeks to create a pipeline between graduates specializing in Italian Studies and the business community.
Through this collaboration, ItalCham aims to identify companies willing to host interns for periods of two to six months. These students, having completed their Bachelor’s Degrees with a Major in Italian Studies, are eager to apply their skills in real-world settings, bridging academic learning with professional development.
At a time when youth unemployment in South Africa is at critical levels, this initiative offers Italian businesses a unique opportunity to make a difference while gaining fresh talent with a unique cultural perspective. Moreover, the project has the potential to attract more students to Italian Studies, strengthening the academic foundation of the language and its culture in South Africa.
We invite all businesses with ties to Italy to join us in supporting this initiative. If your company is interested in hosting an intern and contributing to this valuable pipeline, please contact us at sg@italcham.co.za - together, let’s build opportunities that benefit students, companies, and the broader South African-Italian community.
call for submissions: multilingual short story anthology
The Sections of Italian Studies and African Languages and Literatures at the University of Cape Town, in partnership with the Section of Italian Studies and the Section of Translation and Interpretation Studies at the University of the Witwatersrand, with the support of the Italian government authorities in South Africa, invite young writers and illustrators to participate in a groundbreaking multilingual project.
The proposed anthology, "Freedom" (Inkululeko : Libertà), seeks to showcase the creativity of young writers in Italian, isiXhosa, and isiZulu. The project aims to promote multilingual and multicultural cooperation amongst the South African youth, fostering a dynamic conversation between languages and cultures.
We invite young people aged 18-25 to submit original short stories in Italian, isiXhosa, or isiZulu, accompanied by an English translation. Illustrators aged 18-25 are also encouraged to submit illustrations for consideration.
A panel of editors will select the best three short stories in each language, as well as the best illustrations and each will receive a prize of R10 000. The selected stories and illustrations will be published in a multilingual anthology, scheduled for release in 2025. The book will be widely distributed in bookstores across South Africa and Italy.
Registration before the 31st of January, Stories and Illustrations submission BEFORE the 18th OF MARCH 2025.
We look forward to receiving your submissions and to celebrating the diversity and creativity of South African youth.
The International Trade Fair - Good Life Show
Join the Italian Pavilion at the Good Life Show 2025
ItalCham is pleased to announce that ICE – Agency for the Promotion Abroad and the Internationalisation of Italian Companies is organising the collective participation of Italian companies at the international trade fair, Good Life Show 2025.
The event will take place at the Cape Town International Convention Center from 30 May to 1 June 2025.
Why Participate?
The Good Life Show is a premier event with a strong green focus, catering to businesses and consumers invested in healthy living. The fair brings together key sectors such as food, health, wellness, energy, and sustainability, creating a dynamic platform for business opportunities between exhibitors and industry professionals, including retailers, restaurants, hospitality operators, distributors, and local exporters seeking high-quality, innovative products.
This year’s fair is structured into six major macro-areas:
1. Plant Powered Show – Africa’s leading event dedicated to plant-based food & beverage.
2. Natural & Organic Show – Featuring an organic, eco-conscious approach.
3. Free-From Show – Focused on alternative and “free-from” product solutions.
4. Sustainable Living – Showcasing eco-friendly lifestyle solutions, including food and drink.
5. Health, Beauty, Fitness & Wellness – Covering mental well-being, fitness, nutrition, and sustainable beauty products.
6. Grow It Yourself – Demonstrating how to cultivate a healthy, eco-conscious garden.
How to Participate:
For further information and inquiries as well as Italian companies interested in showcasing their products at the Italian Pavilion can apply in accordance with ICE’s official procedures, as outlined in the event circular:
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There are 3 new job vacancies on the SMILE Job Portal:
Events Manager - The European House, Ambrosetti - JHB
Administrative Assistant - Consolato Generale D’Italia - JHB
Candidate Attorney - MJD Law - JHB
You will find where to apply on the above link.
View these and other job vacancies on the SMILE website via this link:
If you are currently hiring, please take a look at SMILE-vetted candidates
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Alla prossima!