Moscow region invites Italy

On May 16^th, 2017 in Milan a delegation from Moscow region launched a seminar on the region’s investment opportunities.

The Moscow region road show was organized perfectly, and not only by the region ― Confindustria Russia (Confederation of Italian Industry in Russia), Confindustria Lombardia (Confederation of Italian Industry in Lombardia) and Assolombarda (Industrial Association of Milan, Monza, Lodi and Brianza) also took an active part in the activities.

The seminar was held at Assolombarda quarters in Milan. Right at the entrance the guests were free to take a copy of Investor’s Handbook ― a superbly printed Italian translation of the brochure containing a convincing description of Moscow region benefits.

Milan hosted a seminar on Moscow region investment potential, photo © Еvgeny Utkin

The Russian delegation was headed by Denis Butsaev, deputy chairman of the Moscow region government, minister for investments and innovations of the region. He told the participants about opportunities the region offers, about tax benefits in Special Economic Zones (SEZ) and about advantages of investing there. At that, an emphasis was made on availability of educated, qualified personnel and trainees ― a universally good incentive for innovative industries.

Moscow region has well-trained specialists, photo WEB

It turned out that the last remaining taboo no longer stands. Soon, German Mercedes cars will be produced in Moscow region. The region has come to an agreement with Daimler, and the construction of the plant launches at June 20^th, 2017. The completion is scheduled to the first quarter of 2019 (that’s fairly fast as Italians are concerned). This fact was mentioned casually among the numerous instances of foreign investment projects in Moscow region.

German Mercedes cars will be manufactured in Moscow region, photo WEB

The province of Lombardia is one of the most well-developed Italian industrial regions of with performance comparable to Switzerland and Germany. The president of Confindustria Lombardia Alberto Ribolla emphasized that “Lombardia is interested in stable relations with Moscow region. And the basis for these relations is economy”.

The president of Confindustria Lombardia Alberto Ribolla (right) and Denis Butsaev, deputy chairman of Moscow region government – the minister of investments and innovations of the region (left), photo © Еvgeny Utkin

Consul-General of Russia in Milan Aleksandr Nurizade pointed that Italy has lost enormous sums due to the sanctions. “Lombardia is a country’s economic powerhouse. That’s why in Moscow region Italian investors may be interested in any field: from agro-industrial sector to science-intensive high technologies,” Nurizade said.

Denis Butsaev, minister of investments and innovations of the Moscow region (left), Consul-General of Russia in Milan Aleksandr Nuridaze (center) and Anton Loginov, deputy of the Moscow region minister (right) at the seminar in Milan, photo © Еvgeny Utkin

Luca Picasso, director general of Confindustria Russia moderated the meeting. He spoke about the “evidence” for successful operation of Italian companies in Russia, and in Moscow region in particular.  It is Barilla, a giant of macaroni production.

Andrea Sorbello, a Barilla Group representative added that although Russians consume less pasta ― only 7.9 kg/year vs 26 kg/year in Italy ― the “Barilla” brand has become one of the most recognizable macaroni brands in Russia.

Luca Picasso, director general of Confindustria Russia moderated the meeting, photo © Еvgeny Utkin

Then three representatives of the companies specializing in buildings construction and finishing held speech (before that D. Butsaev reported that Moscow region is Russia’s leader by volumes of housing construction): Luciano Longetti, director general of Mapei Russia, Marco Santandrea, chairman of the Kerama Marazzi board of directors, and Davide Zambaiti, director of Fipar. All of them were delighted to convey how interesting and profitable it was for them to operate in Russia.

Andrea Sorbelloa, a Barilla Group representative at the seminar in Milan (left); Chairman of the Board at Kerama Marazzi Marco Santandrea (right), photo © Еvgeny Utkin

Then Russian representatives of special economic zones held speech followed by the delegates from Sergiev Posad and Egorievsk ― and everywhere it is profitable to invest money in manufacturing.

As Denis Butsaev concluded, currently Russia (and specifically Moscow region) “opens a window of opportunities”. It means that initiation of the project can bring additional benefits to those who started to develop their business at that time. “For three years I’ve been working as deputy governor for economy and for 10 years before that I was involved with entrepreneurship. I can assure ― now it’s the unique time for industrial production in Russia. It is the period when the most troublesome times of economic turbulence are over. The growth of industrial production is 7% for Moscow region and 4% for Russia on the whole and we can see a trend for recovering the economic stability. Under these conditions ― considering that the market is virtually empty ― every industrial enterprise has a very good chance to succeed!” he said.

The main thing is not to miss this moment.

Evgeny Utkin, Milan, Italy

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