Business
Italy-Kazakhstan: Forum focuses on joint opportunities
Rome, 4 Nov.(AKI) - A top-level business forum that coincides with the state visit to Italy by Kazakhstan's president Nursultan Nazarbayev is expected to lead to increased trade and investment between the countries. The forum was held in Rome by the Italian Institute for Foreign Trade (ICE) and the Italian ministry of economic development on Wednesday.
Undersecretary for economic development, Stefano Saglia, said: "The government is seeking commercial and investment opportunities and Kazakhstan is a privileged partner."
Saglia said Italy was particularly interested in working with Kazakhstan in the energy sector and there were other sectors that had potential.
Umberto Vattani, president of ICE, noted the extraordinary economic development of the Asian country and its high standard of living.
"We are committed to supporting Italian companies and helping the country to meet European standards," Vattani said.
"The economic crisis can be transformed from a threat to an opportunity," said Kazakhstan's minister for industry, Aset Isekeshev, in Rome.
In 2008, Kazakhstan's annual gross domestic product rose by 3.2 percent and it is expected to end 0.1 percent higher at the end of 2009.
Around 130 Italian companies currently do business in Kazakhstan and bilateral trade is worth 13 billion dollars a year.
Major Italian companies including Finmeccanica and ENI are among 13 leading firms that will benefit from new bilateral accords expected to be endorsed between Italy and Kazakhstan this week.
Kazakhstan's president Nursultan Nazarbayev, was due to meet Italy's prime minister Silvio Berlusconi in Rome late on Wednesday to endorse five bilateral accords in the infrastucture and energy sectors.
Kazakhstan's minister for foreign affairs, Kanat Saudabayev, told Adnkronos that the meeting between the two leaders would define future bilateral cooperation for the people of Italy and Kazakhstan.
Saudabayev said that Italian defence giant Finmeccanica had signed an accord with Kazakhstan's sovereign wealth fund, Samruk-Kazyna, set up by the government to attract investment and development.
Undersecretary for economic development, Stefano Saglia, said: "The government is seeking commercial and investment opportunities and Kazakhstan is a privileged partner."
Saglia said Italy was particularly interested in working with Kazakhstan in the energy sector and there were other sectors that had potential.
Umberto Vattani, president of ICE, noted the extraordinary economic development of the Asian country and its high standard of living.
"We are committed to supporting Italian companies and helping the country to meet European standards," Vattani said.
"The economic crisis can be transformed from a threat to an opportunity," said Kazakhstan's minister for industry, Aset Isekeshev, in Rome.
In 2008, Kazakhstan's annual gross domestic product rose by 3.2 percent and it is expected to end 0.1 percent higher at the end of 2009.
Around 130 Italian companies currently do business in Kazakhstan and bilateral trade is worth 13 billion dollars a year.
Major Italian companies including Finmeccanica and ENI are among 13 leading firms that will benefit from new bilateral accords expected to be endorsed between Italy and Kazakhstan this week.
Kazakhstan's president Nursultan Nazarbayev, was due to meet Italy's prime minister Silvio Berlusconi in Rome late on Wednesday to endorse five bilateral accords in the infrastucture and energy sectors.
Kazakhstan's minister for foreign affairs, Kanat Saudabayev, told Adnkronos that the meeting between the two leaders would define future bilateral cooperation for the people of Italy and Kazakhstan.
Saudabayev said that Italian defence giant Finmeccanica had signed an accord with Kazakhstan's sovereign wealth fund, Samruk-Kazyna, set up by the government to attract investment and development.
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