Penza, 25th May, 2007. INTERFAX - POVOLJE – According to Andrey Sharonov, Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade of the Russian Federation, conclusion of a preference agreement between the European Union and Russia will make European investors' activities in the Russian Federation easier.
“We hope for conclusion of a preference agreement between the European Union and Russia creating good conditions for economic cooperation, for legislation development (…). It will also make activities of Italian investors in Russia easier”, said A. Sharonov opening on Friday the 11th Session of the Russian-Italian Working Group on creation of industrial districts in Russia, as well as cooperation in the sphere of small and middle business in Russia.
He noted that Italy was the main strategical partner of Russia within the frames of cooperation with the European Union. A. Sharonov called on Italian businessmen to work more actively at special economic zones being created in Russia.
A. Sharonov considers, in particular, Italian-Russian cooperation on building projects in Sochi as promising.
“We hope for participation of Italian companies in building, in sport, city, tourist and transport infrastructure development of Sochi. (…) It is a project of many milliards which will be realized independing on decision of the International Olympic Committee (IOC)”, he said.
Besides that, A. Sharonov offered the Italian delegation to study the possibility of participation in tourist industry development in Russia.
“Recently we have chosen seven tourist and recreation zones. This is a sphere in which Italy has a great experience and considerable achievements”, he said.
The 11th Session of the Russian-Italian Working Group on creation of industrial districts in Russia, as well as cooperation in the sphere of small and middle business in Russia takes place in Penza on the 25th -26th of May.
Within the framework of the measure they will hold round table meetings on logistics, customs regulation, infrastructure and public utilities, cooperation between banks and other financial institutions, cooperation in the sphere of small and middle business between federal districts and Trading-Industrial Chambers.
