Lombardy firms to attend Italy-Kazakhstan Expo 2017

Milan - Lombardy companies are looking forward to taking part in Expo Astana 2017, for increased business opportunities as part of "Percorso Kazakistan". Promos, an agency of Milan's Chamber of Commerce for international activities, is organising an internationalisation project for Lombardy firms from June 16 to 21, in the capital city. The firms will be in Astana from June 16 to 18 and in Almaty from June 18 to 21.

Firms taking part work in the agrifood industry, machinery and equipment manufacturing, metallurgy, contracts, interiors and design, fashion and renewable energy. The aim is to increase business opportunities in the Kazakh market, by organising meetings with local businesses. The project, designed by Lombardy Region and Unioncamere Lombardia, and implemented by Promos, the special agency of Milan's Chamber of Commerce for international activities, is part of a larger project to support Lombardy's economy in strategic markets.

The project will include more training sessions throughout the year, focusing on internationalisation to collect more information and enter markets which are strategic for Lombardy firms. These markets include China, the United States, Kazakhstan, Argentina and Vietnam. The Kazakhstan project comes fifth, after those in Morocco, Iran, Kenya and South Africa. It is still possible to apply at the website: www.promos-milano.it.

Trade between Lombardy and Kazakhstan last year came to more than 454 million euros. Exports were 174 million euros with imports of 280 million euros. Milan accounted for more than 184 million euros (+27 percent, compared to 2016), followed by Pavia (104 million euros, -42.3 percent), Varese (41 million euros, +88.9 percent) and Cremona (38 million euros, -78-1 percent).