(BelTA) -Representatives of the business community of the region of Calabria, Italy, are exploring investment opportunities in the Free Economic Zone Brest, BelTA learned.

Welcoming the Italian delegation, First Deputy Chairman of the Brest Oblast Executive Committee Mikhail Yukhimuk said that the region welcomes any form of investment. “It can be foreign and joint ventures. The authorities are ready to provide full support to investors. We also would be happy if the Italian businessmen get interested in our existing enterprises,” he said.

The head of the Italian delegation, the Coordinator of the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the city of Reggio Calabria Matteo Gatto said that most of the members of the delegation are in Belarus for the first time, but have heard a lot about the country. “Belarus develops very quickly. It is noticeable. There are good opportunities for business development. We are confident that Brest Oblast is the best place for investment,” said Matteo Gatto.

The delegation includes 10 representatives of Italian companies representing different lines of business: agriculture, pharmaceuticals, information and biotechnology, trade, and tourism. The visit was made possible due to the agreements reached in Turin which hosted the presentation of Brest Oblast in April of this year.

The program of one-day visit is quite rich. The Italian businessmen will examine the section "Airport" at the FEZ Brest as an object for possible investments, and will meet with representatives of the business community.

In Brest Oblast there are 44 enterprises with the share of Italian capital, including four in the Free Economic Zone Brest. Their main lines of business are construction, woodworking, agriculture, light industry, and trucking. In January-April 2013 the trade between Brest Oblast and Italy amounted to $20.8 million (up 18.6% as against the same period of 2012), with export at $971,000 (up 26.3%), import at $19.7 million (up 18.3%).