Rustem Khamitov delivered a speech at Italian-Russian interregional forum opening

UFA, 27 April 2016. /Bashinform News Agency, Alexander Smirnov/. On April 27, in Milan (Italy) the Head of Bashkortostan Rustem Khamitov delivered a speech at the opening session of the Italian-Russian interregional cooperation.

The Head of the Republic noted that Bashkortostan aspired for actively developing cooperation with regions of all countries and continents. The volume of foreign trade turnover last year reached 6.37 billion euros, of which more than 90 percent were accounted for exports. More than 4.7 billion euros of investments were made in the economy of the republic.

In his speech, Rustem Khamitov stressed the need to promote cooperation in agriculture, petrochemical and power industries.

“It is especially important for our entrepreneurs to expand the ties with the Italian businesses. Almost one tenth of the Bashkir trade turnover was accounted for Italy in the last year (7.6 percent). In absolute terms, this is 520 million euros”, said the Head of Bashkortostan. “We have good prospects for new projects in industry, agriculture. In addition to support major projects we plan to use actively the opportunities of small and medium-sized businesses. We have a fairly high competence in some areas, powerful potential, opportunities for development. And we want to convert it into a mutually beneficial cooperation.”

Another important area of cooperation, according to the Head of the Republic is humanitarian and cultural spheres.

The Forum is organized by the Moscow Chamber of Commerce, the region of Lombardy (Italy) and the General Consulate of the Russian Federation in Milan. Issues of bilateral cooperation in the fields of mechanical engineering and petrochemicals, production and processing of agricultural products, as well as health care, tourism and sports will be discussed at it. Specialized sections, B2B-meetings are planned as part of the major program. The leading Italian and Russian companies in the field of construction and exhibition activities, machine tools and engine manufacturing, agriculture and transport take part in the Forum.

The delegation of Bashkortostan included the Deputy Prime Minister of the Government RB Dmitry Sharonov, Ufa Mayor Irek Yalalov, General Director of JSC "Development Corporation of the Republic of Bashkortostan" Artem Kireev, representatives of business community of the republic. The Head of the Region Rustem Khamitov held a series of meetings with the leadership of the largest Italian companies yesterday.

Italy is one of the leading partners of Bashkortostan. It ranks fourth in terms of foreign trade turnover, which amounted to 578.4 million dollars in 2015. More than 90 percent of this amount falls on export deliveries. Among the main products that our republic supplies to Italy are oil and oil products, as well as organic chemicals, fertilizers, rubber, plywood, aluminum alloy, leather. Bashkortostan imports products of mechanical engineering, chemical and metallurgical industries. 13 joint ventures in the field of machinery and equipment, distilled alcoholic beverages, wholesale trade, real estate, consulting are established in the territory of Bashkortostan with participation of the Italian capital.