Denis Butsaev: we build plants in 9 months

Denis Butsaev, Deputy Chairman of the Moscow Region Government - Minister of Investments and Innovations of the Moscow Region, led the delegation of the Moscow Region, which held a seminar “Invest in Moscow Region” on November 21, 2018, in Milan, in the building of the Lombardy Government, where they presented investment potential to Italian businessmen.

Confindustria Russia helped them in this, its general director Alfredo Gozzi arrived in Milan. Speakers were Consul General of the Russian Federation in Milan Alexander Nurizade, representatives of the Lombardy region (the most developed region of Italy, with its capital in Milan), and representatives of Italian and Russian companies.

The building of Lombardy's regional council, photo © Evgeny Utkin

There were a lot of questions, and even when the seminar was over, many went to dinner, but a long line of Italian businessmen — potential investors — lined up for Butsayev. Denis Butsaev managed to talk with everyone, to meet with the head of the Lombardy region, Attilio Fontana, and gave an exclusive interview to our VLVmag publication.

- We met a year and a half ago, when you came with a similar initiative. Then you talked about the window of opportunity. What has changed since then?

- Many companies have taken advantage of the opportunity of this window. We see that two-thirds of Italian investments are investments of Lombardy companies. It is nice that they overcame the psychological barrier, choosing between the benefits of localization or the continuation of imports, and their choice was inclined towards localization. Moreover, we do not receive such questions any more. Most companies ask about specific support measures when they want to place their production with us.

- Do you think this is the result of your previous road show?

- This is generally the result of the federal government work with Italy as a whole, and our contacts at the regional levels.

Attilio Fontana (left) and Denis Butsaev (right), photo © Evgeny Utkin

- Yesterday, you had a meeting in Padua, with the Veneto region. What do you expect from them?

- The same as here. There are quite active companies, the second in the Moscow region, after Lombardy. We believe that interregional relations will help our business to develop more intensively, more freely.

- Recently, what are the most significant investments in your region? A year and a half ago, you said that even Mercedes is going to build a car factory.

- The first car will be released in the first quarter of 2019. The first carcase we have already seen. The plant is fully built, currently commissioning works are underway.

- This is, of course, a record for construction time. For Italy, a miracle ...

- I can add that we have a project of Indian companies that are going to build a plant in 9 months for the production of film. In general, over the last year we have grown from 670 billion rubles to 820 billion, i.e. from about 8 billion euros to 11 billion is the amount of direct investment. And about 40% are investments of foreigners.

Denis Butsaev (left), Attilio Fontana (center) and Remo Morcenti-Pellegrini (right), photo © Evgeny Utkin

- And how are the Italians?

- They are in the first three, perhaps the second after Germany.

- What would they like in addition? You said that if they find better conditions for investment in another region, you can discuss ...

- Yes, we all would like more stability of macroeconomic, but now it is not easy. In addition, everything else what we have is great.

- You talked about Russian investments in Europe ...

- Yes, we have quite a lot of Russian companies that are seeking the convenient enter to the European market, including opening of joint ventures.

Alexander Nurizade (center) and Denis Butsayev (right), photo © Evgeny Utkin

- To produce in Russia?

- Yes, we have unique opportunities, well-trained staff. However, it is not necessarily. Some companies are ready to open production abroad if they see in this the demands of the market.

- Then let's better dedicate more time to investors, they are waiting for you. And we wish you productive work.

- Thanks you. And all the best wishes to readers.

Evgeny Utkin, Milan, Italy

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