Business news

MINSK, 23 February (BelTA) – Italian businessmen view infrastructure projects in Belarus as a promising cooperation area, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Italy to Belarus Stefano Bianchi told journalists before the Belarusian-Italian business forum on 23 February, BelTA has learned.

“We can say that all cooperation areas related to the current transition period of Belarus’ economy can be considered promising. First of all, this applies to infrastructure projects. Energy is another promising field. Not just production of energy, but rather such areas as renewable energy and energy efficiency,” the Ambassador stressed.

He noted that energy-saving technologies for homes represent one more promising area. “Besides, we can mention our cooperation in traditional industries such as agriculture, food production, and machine building. This forum will help us establish new contacts and set up joint ventures with good prospects,” Stefano Bianchi said.

Partaking in the business forum in Minsk are representatives of over 30 Italian companies involved in construction, transport infrastructure, metalworking, leasing, power engineering, and agriculture. “The fact that the event is attended by many Italian businessmen shows that the country is interested in Belarus. Our companies are ready to bring their technologies and best business and management practices to Belarus. The active participation of Italian businessmen in the forum is a result of the resumption of the political dialogue between Belarus and Italy,” Stefano Bianchi pointed out.

In 2015, the trade between Belarus and Italy amounted to $766.7 million. Belarus exported $130.1 worth of goods to this country. The Belarusian economy received $28.8 million in Italian investments. Today there are 204 companies with the Italian capital registered in Belarus.