Italian business explores the possibilities of cooperation with the Tomsk Region

On October 2, Italian representatives from 7 consortiums and 30 companies visited Tomsk to participate in Siberian-Italian Business Forum SIBF 2014.

The main objective of their visit was the improvement of business relations which were harmed by imposed sanctions. Most of the Italians came to Tomsk and Siberia for the first time.

"Tomsk Region is opened for your suggestions. The region already has established relations with Italy in such spheres as industry, trade and culture. We are ready not only to consolidate them but also to look for new cooperation ways," Vice Governor Yury Gurdin noted.

Within the framework of the meeting, the Italians were presented the Tomsk Region investment potential with an emphasis on the main region's advantages — hydrocarbon and timber reserves, and high-skilled labor resources. "Tomsk Region holds the third position in Russia by scientific research development level and the second position in Siberia by GDP per capita. Tomsk people inventive activity is two times higher than the average Russian one and innovative products annual growth achieves 10-15%," Head of Regional Investment Department Alexander Fedchenko reported.

Silvia Bertolotti, the Head of Lombardy Companies and Small and Medium Enterprises Association, noted that the association members acclaimed enthusiastically the participation in the forum, since both Russian and Italian markets give great opportunities not only from the commercial and trading point of view but also in terms of "know-how" introduction.

The Italian guests also got acquainted with infrastructural projects – Tomsk Quays (Tomskiye Naberezhnye), Industrial Parks, SEZ Tomsk and existing investors support ways. President of the Department of Housing, Urban Development and Reconstruction at the European Union Expert Chamber Marco Ferrario noted that the effective strategy which creates perfect work conditions is developed in the Tomsk Region.

Following the results of the meeting, the parties signed a memorandum on cooperation between JSC Tomsk Region Development Corporation responsible for the main region's infrastructural projects and the Department of Housing, Urban Development and Reconstruction at the European Union Expert Chamber. In a month another visit of Marco Ferrario is scheduled, he is bringing specific collaboration proposals.

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