Business news

Belarus looks forward to working with Piedmont in several areas. Andrei Kobyakov called the automotive and woodworking industries among the key areas for cooperation. In addition, Belarus and the Italian region can cooperate in the chemical and light industries and agriculture.

Andrei Kobyakov recalled that an Italian industrial zone has been created in the vicinity of the Brest Free Economic Zone. Every plot proposed to business there has the necessary engineering and transport infrastructure. Andrei Kobyakov noted that Brest is a city on the border of the European Union and the Eurasian Economic Union that gives the Italian industrial zone additional benefits.

The national day of the Republic of Belarus at the Milano Expo was held the previous day, 9 September. According to Andrei Kobyakov, the Italian press included this event in the top 5 national days at the Expo.

In 2014 Belarus exported €5.6 million worth of goods to Piedmont (up 65.6% from 2013). Major exports were woodworking products, synthetic threads and fibers, metal products. In 2014 Belarus’ imports from Piedmont totaled €29.9 million (89.7% as compared to 2013). Major imports were machinery and equipment, motor vehicles, food industry goods, metal products, clothing and textile products.

Piedmont is the second largest and sixth most populated region of Italy. The region is one of the most economically developed regions of Italy thanks to the high level of industrial development. The leading industry in the region is auto-making. Piedmont has also well-developed chemical, textile and food industries. The region ranks first in Italy in the production of chocolate.