Mbeki rallies for Italy’s support

President Thabo Mbeki with Silvio Berlusconi the Italian prime minister

South Africa has called on Italy to support its bid to host the African International Centre for Genetic engineering and biotechnology. Several African countries are in the running to host the state of the art science centre to be used to carry out research on various infectious diseases including HIV and Aids.

Mbeki announced the country's intention to host it while on his three day state visit to Italy where he also met with Silvio Berlusconi, the prime minister who is in an all out election battle to be re-elected for a second term.

A welcome distraction from electioneering, Berlusconi is in a tight race with Romano Prodi, the opposition leader and former European Commissioner. While they fight it out, South Africa wants Italy's support as it bids to host a ground breaking African research centre.

Mbeki says: “We are pleased to announce our readiness to host the African International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, an important initiative within out programme of the regeneration of Africa led by Nepad. Our minister of science and technology will be visiting Trieste to further strengthen our co-operation so that together we can enhance our efforts to tackle infectious diseases on the African continent. These include Aids, Malaria and TB. It will be the first of its kind in Africa”.

Already home to Southern Africa's Largest Telescope, South Africa is also eyeing the radio equivalent technology.

Millions to be poured into SA’s economy
“We count on your support to house the Square Kilometre Array Telescope which will greatly increase the capacity of all humanity to study and understand the very origins of the universe”. Mbeki added.

A large Italian business delegation will make its way to South Africa and start by pouring more than R210m into various sectors of the economy.