Agartala, Oct 7 (IANS) An Italian business team will visit some northeastern states next month to explore investment opportunities in areas like bamboo, rubber and handloom, a Tripura minister said Friday.

"A 280-member trade and business delegation led by Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini will reach Delhi Oct 31 to enhance business with India," Tripura Industry and Commerce Minister Jitendra Chowdhury said.

"A part of the Italian delegation would visit some of the northeastern states, including Tripura, by Nov 3 and hold talks with state governments and local entrepreneurs and investors," he told reporters.

The minister said the Italians had expressed interest in exploring the possibilities of investment in the northeast in handloom, handicrafts, rubber, bamboo, food processing, silk and cotton.

"The Italians are likely to sign some MoUs (Memorandums of Understanding) in the northeast," he added. The delegation would also visit Tamil Nadu.