Fourth Conoscere Eurasia Russian–Italian seminar held in Milan with support from Roscongress Foundation and Banca Intesa
On February 12, 2016, a one-day Russian–Italian seminar was held in Milan, Italy, on the development of economic relations between the two countries. The seminar was organized by the non-profit association Conoscere Eurasia and the Roscongress Foundation, with support from the Intesa Sanpaolo group and Banca Intesa.
Among the topics discussed at the seminar was the restoration of a strategic partnership between Italy and Russia, to promote innovative business. Italian companies working on a new strategy for the Russian market focused their attention on the industrial, scientific and technical, and financial sectors as potential areas for cooperation. The possibility of a shift from simply purchasing Italian products to joint production within Russia is being considered – this would mark a transition from ‘Made in Italy’ to ‘Made with Italy’.
“Exports to Russia of goods traditionally associated with the Made in Italy stamp are shrinking, but at the same time new opportunities are emerging in Russia for Italian companies working in innovative sectors of industry, science and technology, and IT”, said Chairman of the Board of Directors at Banca Intesa and President of Conoscere Eurasia Antonio Fallico.
By the end of 2015, Italian exports to Russia had fallen by 35% compared with the highest levels seen in 2013, but there are still many opportunities to invest in Russia, especially in innovation.
Over the last 10 years, 120 technology parks have been built in 43 of Russia’s regions, with 37 currently in the final stages of construction. The volume of state investment in the innovation sector grew by RUB 477 billion in 2010 to reach RUB 1.5 trillion in 2013.
“Partnership with Italian companies would be an excellent addition at this point, bringing in know-how and high production standards. We must support the current progress in technology, industry, and infrastructure, which is now rapidly taking hold across Russia. Russia needs Made with Italy as well as Made in Italy”, Professor Fallico stressed.
The participants in the discussion were representatives from leading government and civil society organizations and Russian and Italian manufacturers, including Consul General of the Russian Federation in Milan Alexander Nurizade, the Ambassador of Italy to the Russian Federation Cesare Maria Ragaglini, Director of the Italian Ministry of Economic Development Third Division for International Affairs and Relations with Foreign Organizations Paola Brunetti, Executive Director of the Association of Innovative Regions of Russia Slava Khodko, CEO of STLC Sergey Khramagin, and Head of the Gazprom Export Contract Structuring and Price Formation Directorate Sergey Komlev.
Participants at the seminar were invited to continue the discussion at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum on June 16–18, 2016.
