The Italian province of Perugia is interested in trade and economic cooperation with Belarus, Pietro Giunti, a representative of the Umbria Chamber of Commerce and Industry, told the Belarus-Italy Business Forum on 10 December.

“Umbria is a small region of Italy. At the same time, as for the economic relations, Umbria is increasingly dynamic,” Pietro Giunti said. For the recent years, industrial products have accounted for 55% of the Umbria export, 10% - metal, 20% - foodstuffs, 10% - agricultural products and 5% - other goods.

In January-October 2009, Italy was Belarus’ ninth biggest trading partner among non-CIS countries. Italy ranked 15th in terms of export and sixth in import.

Amid the global financial and economic crisis, in January-October 2009, the Belarusian-Italian trade reduced by 29.5% to make up $691.7 million including Belarus’ export - $125.3 million (down 57.6%), import - $566.4 million (down 17.3%). Belarus posted a deficit in trade with Italy at the amount of $441.1 million.

Main Belarus’ exports to Italy were oil products, weldless pipes, wire, lightening equipment.

Belarus mainly imported high-tech machine-tools and various equipment, chemicals, medicines and medical equipment from Italy.

On 10 December, Minsk is playing host to a Belarus-Italy business forum.
 
Representatives of Italian companies specializing in various fields of economy have come to Belarus to establish new business contacts and mutually advantageous relations. Such companies as Nardi Spa (production and development of a wide range of modern farm machinery), Donati Legnami Spa (woodworking), Hotel Corallo Riccione, which represents the hotel business of Spadini Group, and others expect to find partners in Belarus. The Italian delegation will stay in Belarus till 12 December.

www.belta.by