Ecco Chamber
Fortnightly Italian news made in South Africa
III edition April 2026
Showcase Your Company in the 2026/2027
ItalCham Annual Directory
Newsletter Announcement
Annual Directory 2026/2027 - Advertising Rates
Secure your company’s presence in the upcoming
2026/2027 ItalCham Annual Directory!
As the Chamber’s flagship publication, the Directory is distributed to members, partners, and key stakeholders and shared digitally throughout the year, giving your brand long-lasting visibility.
Booking Deadline: 29 May 2026
To confirm your placement in the 2026/2027 Annual Directory contact accounts@italcham.co.za
AGM Notice
The Italian-South African Chamber of Trade and Industries is pleased to inform its members that the Annual General Meeting (AGM) for 2026 will be held at the Italian Club of Johannesburg on Tuesday, 12 May 2026.
Proceedings will commence at 17:00, with arrival and registration from 16:30.
Members are kindly requested to confirm their attendance by Friday, 8 May 2026, by making use of the button provided below.
Please note that the Notice of Meeting, including the Ordinary Resolutions, as well as the Proxy Form, are available in the button below.
Loftus Festa Italiana
The Loftus Festa Italiana 2026 returns to Loftus Versfeld Stadium
with two weekends where rugby and culture meet. On 9 and 16 May,
the Vodacom Bulls take to the field against Italy’s Zebre Parma and
Benetton Rugby as part of the United Rugby Championship.
Beyond the game itself, the stadium softens into a space of shared experience: the ease of good food, the warmth of conversation, and the unmistakable rhythm of Italian hospitality woven through the day,
inviting guests to linger a little longer, to enjoy
both the energy on the field and the atmosphere around it.
With tickets available from just R60 via Ticketpro,
it’s an accessible and memorable way to enjoy a unique fusion of
sport and culture.
ItalCham
Business Excellence Awards 2026
The ItalCham Business Excellence Awards tickets are officially sold out.
With tickets now sold out, we look forward to stepping into an evening where leaders are celebrated, innovation is recognised, and connections are made that truly move industries forward.
15 May 2026 | @Sandton Hotel
The board is set. The next move is yours.
Save the Date
Italy in Town 2026
Italy in Town is back! and this year, we’re taking it to an iconic new level!
📍 New Venue: Castle of Good Hope, Cape Town
📅 Dates: 21–22 November 2026
Get ready for a weekend filled with
authentic Italian food, culture, music, fashion,
and unforgettable experiences in one of Cape Town’s
most historic settings.
Mark your calendars, gather your friends, and stay tuned…
something spectacular is coming!
For official updates and all the latest news around
the Italy in Town Festival, be sure to visit our
Italy in Town Facebook and Instagram pages,
by clicking the icons above.
Recap
Petanque & Bocce Cup
On Friday, 17 April 2026, the grounds of the Italian Club of Cape Town provided the setting for a refreshing approach to business networking, as the Italian-South African Chamber of Trade and Industries and the French South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry hosted the the first Pétanque & Bocce Cup.
Bringing together French and Italian traditions, the afternoon unfolded with a natural ease—where light competition complemented meaningful exchange. Away from formal settings connections were formed through shared experience rather than structure.
Professionals engaged not as counterparts across a table, but as participants in a shared moment—creating space for more genuine and lasting connections.
As a first edition, it marked a promising beginning. Following this strong debut, the next edition is already something to look forward to.
Recap
It's been a while, let's SMILE!
On 23 April 2026, COM.IT.ES Johannesburg and the Italian-South African Chamber of Trade and Industries successfully hosted the It’s Been A While, Let’s SMILE Networking Evening at Sala Campari, Italian Sporting Club.
Bringing together members of the Italian and South African business community, the event created a welcoming space for professionals to reconnect, strengthen longstanding relationships, and spark new collaborations. The evening was marked by meaningful conversations, shared experiences, and valuable networking opportunities in a relaxed and engaging atmosphere.
Reflecting the spirit of the SMILE network, the event celebrated community, connection, and the importance of fostering stronger ties within the Italian-South African business ecosystem. It was an evening of renewed engagement and strategic relationship-building, reinforcing the value of collaboration across industries.
A special thank you to our valued partners, Peroni, Morgenster, and Ayama, whose support contributed to the success of the evening and helped make the occasion even more memorable.
We also extend our sincere appreciation to all who attended and contributed to the success of the event. We look forward to continuing these connections and creating many more opportunities to connect, collaborate, and grow together.
Break Into India’s Booming
Pet Market – PetBridge 2026
Early Bird Applications Now Open
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25–26 November 2026 | Mumbai, India
PetBridge 2026 is India’s first fully B2B exhibition dedicated to the pet supplies industry and distribution — powered by Zoomark and BolognaFiere.
Positioned at the heart of one of the world’s fastest-growing pet markets, PetBridge offers South African companies direct access to a $3.6 billion industry expected to double by 2028.
Why exhibit?
✔ Connect with India’s most influential trade buyers through pre-scheduled B2B meetings
✔ Benefit from Zoomark’s international network
✔ Gain visibility within the dedicated International Hub
✔ Access tailored support services for international exhibitors
Early Bird discount (10% off) available until 31 May 2026.
For full information and participation details, please visit the ItalCham website.
Take Your Brand to Europe
at Zoomark 2027
Early Bird Rates Now Available
Recognised as Europe’s leading B2B platform for pet food and pet care, Zoomark 2027 brings together innovation, international buyers and key industry players under one roof.
With over 30,800 visitors and 1,260 exhibitors (2025 edition), Zoomark continues to expand its global reach — offering direct access to the European and international pet market.
Why exhibit?
✔ Access the European & global market
✔ Connect with decision-makers actively sourcing new products and partnerships
✔ Meet top global buyers through tailored matchmaking
Early Bird exhibition rates are available until 30 June 2026.
Discover how to participate and access full details below.
BLUEGATE
Simplified Logistics Zone & Strategic Gateway to
European Markets
Invitation-only online session (date to be confirmed)
An initiative by the Veneto Region, in collaboration with the Venice and Rovigo Chamber of Commerce and Venicepromex, inviting selected international investors to take part in a dedicated online session presenting the BLUEGATE Simplified Logistics Zone (SLZ) of the Port of Venice and Rodigino, in Northern Italy.
A strategic opportunity for South African companies looking to:
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Access and expand into European markets
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Develop international partnerships
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Strengthen their position within global supply chains
ABOUT BLUEGATE
BLUEGATE is the Simplified Logistics Zone (SLZ) of the Port of Venice and Rodigino, located in Northern Italy, one of Europe’s most industrialised and economically dynamic regions.
It covers over 4,600 hectares of strategic industrial and logistics areas centred around the Port of Venice — a core node of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) — and is designed to act as a driver of regional economic growth.
The area benefits from a fully integrated multimodal infrastructure system, including ports, rail, road, airports and inland waterways, ensuring efficient connectivity to key European markets. It also includes a major industrial port hub currently undergoing significant redevelopment.
As part of a broader strategy to enhance industrial competitiveness and attract international investment, BLUEGATE positions Veneto as a strategic gateway between Europe and global markets.
BLUEGATE is supported by a structured regional development framework, reinforced by a recent regional law (2025) on investment attraction.
INVESTMENT ENVIRONMENT & SUPPORT
BLUEGATE offers a highly structured and investor-oriented environment designed to facilitate investment and business development, including:
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A Digital One-Stop Shop acting as a single-entry point for all administrative procedures
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A Single Authorisation process, consolidating all permits into one coordinated procedure
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A comprehensive Strategic Development Plan, providing access to funding programmes, investor support measures and initiatives supporting industrial growth and internationalisation
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Dedicated support services for investors, including mentoring and after-care throughout the investment process
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Structured investment agreements supporting new developments, expansions and industrial reconversion projects
The framework also provides access to a range of investment incentives and support measures, which may be available to companies establishing operations in the region. These can include tax credit schemes and other fiscal support measures.
This integrated approach significantly reduces complexity and provides a structured, long-term support framework for investors.
INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Opportunities are available across key sectors:
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Logistics and supply chain
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Advanced manufacturing and industrial production
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Green economy and circular solutions
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Energy-related value chains and industrial applications
Projects may include greenfield and brownfield investments, as well as industrial partnerships.
ONLINE INVESTOR SESSION
Selected investors will be invited to join an invitation-only online session to gain direct insights into the BLUEGATE SLZ and explore potential opportunities for collaboration.
The session will provide:
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A strategic overview of the BLUEGATE project and its development framework
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Direct interaction with Italian institutional stakeholders
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An opportunity to assess potential investment fit and areas of collaboration
Participants demonstrating concrete interest may be considered for:
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Follow-up one-to-one discussions
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A potential site visit at a later stage
CONTACT
If you are interested in learning more or being considered for participation in the online session, please contact:
(+27) 82 778 7089
Join Our WhatsApp Channel!
Stay Connected! Join Our New WhatsApp Channel!
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Join our brand-new Italcham WhatsApp Channel to get instant updates
on upcoming events, exclusive news, and everything happening at ItalCham, all in one place.
Real-time updates and exciting opportunities you won’t want to miss!
Click the link or scan the QR code above to join now and be part of the updates!
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View job vacancies on the SMILE website
via this link - CLICK HERE
If you are currently hiring,
Please take a look at SMILE-vetted candidates HERE
Alla prossima!