Mr. Stefano De Leo, the Italian Ambassador to Nigeria, says mixing Italian ingredients with Nigerian flour is good for baking his country’s pizza.

Leo said this at the ongoing inaugural event of Italian 9th International Week of Cuisine scheduled from Nov. 15 to Nov. 23 in Abuja.

According to him, the Italian cooking technique and ingredients can be used with Nigerian ingredients or ingredients found wherever Italian citizens resident in the world.

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“The Italian cooking techniques and ingredients can also be used with ingredient from a far land and this can be sustainable by using local products of our host community instead of importing flour from Italy.

“So, by patronizing Nigerian flour, it will add value to Nigerian flour market, also what we are saying is that we can make a lot of things without importing our products from our country.

“So, this will boost the local economy and attract interest to Nigerian food sectors, by invariably encouraging the local farmers in Nigeria,’’ he said.

Leo also said that the event was celebrated as Italian lifestyle which was also part of the country’s income generated sector.

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“The embassy celebrates the Italian lifestyle because it’s part of our economy which includes pasta, pizza, tractors, seeds, technology and agriculture and whatever is linked to food is what makes Italy important for tourists.

“Tourists go to Italy to taste the pizza and wine which is part of our economy and that’s why we celebrate the Italian lifestyle all around the world in November.

“ To share with our host communities and friends on our kind of lifestyle by enjoying life with them. Also looking for partners who will want to buy our wine, invest in agribusiness and buy our technology.

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“So, the main focus of this event is to entertain our guests and to partner and share business ideas of what Italy can do for our host community to promote business opportunities,’’ he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the pizzas showcased at the inaugural event were top Italian pizzas such as Neapolitan, Sicilian, Roman and Bagel pizzas among others.