Italian Institute Seeks to Create Commercial Relations with Palestine

(Jewish Telegraphic Agency)

A National Institute for Italian Economic Expansion Abroad was formed recently with headquarters at Milan. The object of the Institute is to promote trading relations between Italy and foreign countries, especially in the Mediterranean countries and the Middle East.

In an interview with the Jewish Telegraphic Agency Deputy Lanfranconi, the President of the Institute, said that Italian trading circles are following with close attention the rapid economic development of Palestine due to the Jewish immigration. At the present rate of progress, it is obvious that very soon Palestine would play a leading part in the economic revival of the East, he said. Italy is especially interested in the commercial possibilities of Palestine, because its geographical position fits it particularly well for trading with the Mediterranean countries. The growing Jewish community so able as business people in all parts of the world will afford the Italian traders big opportunities for economic cooperation he declared.

The Italian authorities regard with great favor the establishment of a Jewish National Home in Palestine and are very far from all influences of a religious or nationalist character. It is desirable, Deputy Lanfranconi concluded, that the Palestine economic bodies should enter into close relations with his Institute with a view to such economic cooperation.