Expo Astana: renewables and Green Economy, Emilia takes center stage
Bologna - The opening of the Italy National Day, bilateral meetings with the Government of Kazakhstan and the Italian-Kazakhstan business forum on smart energy and green technology. With these events on the agenda, Emilia-Romagna's institutional and entrepreneurial mission is in full swing at Expo 2017 Future Energy in Astana, Kazakhstan. This morning, the Regional Councilor of Productive Activities, Palma Costi, participated in a bilateral meeting between the Government of Kazakhstan and a delegation of the Italian Government: talks were held with Roman Sklyar, Vice-Minister of Investments, Gani Sadibekov, Vice-Minister of Energy and Aibatyr Zhumaglov, Vice-Minister of Economy. Italy is a strategic partner for Kazakhstan. In 2016, Italy exported goods mainly clothing, machinery, pipes, hollow profile products and relevant accessories for 842 billion euros, a 8.2% increase compared to 2015. 10% of Italian exports comes form Emilia-Romagna. Kazakhstan has a potential market of 500 million people, which includes Kazakhstan and parts of its neighboring countries. "The goods exported from Emilia-Romagna to Kazakhstan Councilor Costi highlighted include a variety of products, especially machinery and products in the fashion sector, and there is scope for improvement particularly with reference to agriculture machinery, electric motors, extraction equipment and for cold chain technology. During the meetings with the Kazakhstan Government, we confirmed the solidity of the relations between our two countries and the deep roots our companies have in Kazakhstan. Additionally, there are new areas in which significant relations can be developed, not just in the commercial sector, but also in terms of research and innovation. What is also very significant, is the fact that some of the companies from our territory autonomously present at the Expo, decided to join the regional delegation, in order to count on a wider and better organized network of relations, essential to work together.