The event, Trade and Economic Cooperation between Russia and Italy: Realities and Prospects, is the first of its kind to be staged in the Italian capital. Over 160 companies from all across Russia are showcasing their merchandise to Italian dealers and consumers. The fair features industrial products, technologies, and consumer goods and services that have a competitive edge and are customized especially to suit the Italian market.
Russian Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin and Italian Industry Minister Claudio Scajola opened the fair. "With this fair, we are positioning ourselves as suppliers to Europe of not only fuel, but of other competitive products, as well," Kudrin said at the opening ceremony. He expressed confidence that the show would prove to be an important step in advancing Russo-Italian economic cooperation.
A whole array of specialized conferences, panel discussions and workshops are being held on the fair's sidelines as part of a program, Russia - Italy: Partnership in the 21st Century. Members of the Russian and the Italian business communities, as well as ranking government officials, are among the attendees.
The trade potential of Russian cities and regions, such as St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, and Kamchatka, is to be highlighted at special profile displays.
The fair will run through June 25.
