Italy-Russia: Ragaglini in Ekaterinburg "Moscow strategic partner"

Moscow - The system mission in Ekaterinburg, the capital city of the Russian region of Sverdlovsk, led by the Ambassador of Italy, Cesare Maria Ragaglini, was concluded on June 20. The mission, organized by the ICE Office in Moscow (June 19-20) also involved 20 Italian companies active in the fields of mechanics, construction, furnishings and logistics. Several Italian investors are already active in the region, including Enel (with two thermoelectric plants, one of which will be visited on June 21 by the Ambassador), Mapei, Buzzi Unichem, Melko, CIB Unigas, ZAO Compagnia "Piastrella", Banca Intesa and Banca Unicredit.

To strengthen this presence, at the meeting with ad interim Governor Evgenij Kujvashev, Ragaglini requested an update of the investment projects in the region that are listed in the "Investing in Russia" guide. The guide was drawn up by the embassy and intended for Italian entrepreneurs who have an interest in the country. Twenty Italian companies are also expected to attend the Innoprom Trade Fair (where Italy was a guest of honor in 2016) dedicated to the metalworking and metallurgical industries. The key moment of the system mission was the "Italy meets Urals" investment forum, during which meetings between 20 Italian businesses and 134 local companies took place.

"Russia is a strategic partner for Italy. In Sochi, Italian Prime Minister Gentiloni stressed the fact that we have traditional and strong relations in the energy field, a significant interchange that has started to grow again this year (+30%) and mutual investments that have not decreased despite the recent crisis," said Ragaglini at the beginning of the forum. The Director of Moscow's ICE Agency, Pierpaolo Celeste, spoke during the opening address, also introducing ICE's new innovation and start-up desk, which is aimed at mapping new innovative companies in Russia.