By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, November 29, 2017: The Aluminium Association of India (AAI) and leading aluminium association ASSOMET and AMAFOND of Italy will sign a MoU for investing in a joint venture in the upcoming aluminium park at Angul in Odisha.

Indian government managed National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) and Oisha government owned Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (IDCO) are developing the aluminium park.

The MoU is likely to be signed during an Italian industry delegation’s visit in January 2018.

The Consul General of Italy Damiano Francovigh along with other officials on Tuesday met NALCO chief and AAI Chairman Tapan Kumar Chand here and held discussions for collaboration between the aluminium industries of India and Italy.

During the discussion, Chand proposed to the Italian industry delegation led by the Consul General and the Ambassador of Italy to India to visit NALCO and other industries in Odisha to which the Consul General agreed.

“With large bauxite reserves and presence of major aluminium players like NALCO, Hindalco and Vedanta, Odisha is considered to be the aluminium capital of India. Global firms should come forward for investing in joint ventures with upstream and downstream units,” Chand said.

Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday met the Consul General of Italy and invited the Italian companies to invest in a special industrial park meant for the handloom and auto industries.

Patnaik also proposed to have a roundtable meeting with the CEOs of Italian companies during the ‘Make in Odisha’ Conclave in November next year.

Consul General of Italy Damiano Francovigh said Italian companies are interested in doing business in Odisha.