December 2003:
Ambassador's letter for the first
Issue of the trade office newsletter for
trade opportunities with Italy

I am happy, after only a few weeks since my arrival in Wellington, to be able to see this useful initiative of the Italian Embassy become a reality, and which offers me the opportunity to convey to all our New Zealand friends and to the Italian nationals here, the greetings not only of my country, but also of the European Union for which Italy holds the Presidency for the current semester.

The common, traditional values of hard work, democracy, justice and solidarity on which Italy and New Zealand are founded are decisive in breaking down the geographic distance and for developing the already excellent relations of friendship and of deepening mutual understanding to which the various encounters on the occasion of the America's Cup, of the prestigious presence of the tall ship "Vespucci", and of the World Rugby Finals, have in no small measure contributed.

I am certain that the good will that exists between our citizens must be realized through specific programmes of collaboration, also and above all in the economic-commercial sector which, as I have been able to observe right from my very first contacts, is already particularly vibrant.

I believe, however, that there is both scope and interest in further developing this sector. This is the objective that we are proposing with this publication, that is intended to provide useful news items especially for our New Zealand friends. I hope that this first issue of the Vade-mecum will meet the needs of its readers and of business operators, thereby contributing to the development of opportunities for initiating (or consolidating) economic-commercial relations between the two countries, and of making the aspects of Italy's system more familiar.

That is the reason why special attention is given to the Italian Regions; following a recent constitutional reform, they are assuming new roles, also in the overseas trade sector: thanks to their specific knowledge of Italy and of the different local realities, the Regions have become the natural and privileged conversational partners for economic operators.

To all our readers and their families I extend warmest Seasons greetings for Christmas and the New Year.

Liana Marolla

Ambassador of Italy