The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy Luigi Di Maio together with Foreign Minister of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba opened the Ukrainian-Italian business forum in Kyiv on June 10, with the participation of representatives of Ukrainian and Italian companies and institutions.

The Covid-19 pandemic has dealt a severe blow not only to the people but also to the countries' economies. However, trade between Ukraine and Italy continues, and we want to increase it even more. That is why today we are creating an opportunity for Ukrainian and Italian companies to establish new business ties, sign new contracts, and discuss new promising projects for development.

Dmytro Kuleba, Foreign Affairs Minister of Ukraine

More than 30 companies took part in the forum. As part of the event, a number of negotiations took place between managers of Italian and Ukrainian companies.

We see the concrete results Italy and Ukraine have managed to achieve together, given the agreements that have been signed.

Luigi Di Maio, Foreign Affairs Minister of Italy

Four bilateral documents were signed during the forum. In particular, memorandums of understanding between Ukraine’s Entrepreneurship and Export Promotion Office and the Italian Trade Agency, as well as between the Council of Exporters and Investors and Confindustria (association of industrialists of Italy).

An important step because Ukraine is a strategic partner with whom we want to further develop our economic relations. The level of trade between our countries has been considerable in recent years, but much more needs to be done to increase investment and industrial partnerships. In areas of collaboration in sectors such as agro-industry, energy and infrastructure, Italian companies can offer cutting-edge products and technologies in the world, adapted to the development needs of Ukrainian industry.

Barbara Beltrame Giacomello, Vice President of Confindustria for Internationalisation

As far as business opportunities in the Ukrainian market are concerned, in 2021, Ukraine will begin the process of privatisation of large State-owned enterprises and representatives of Italian business are invited to participate in tenders. The first auctions already showed great interest from foreign investors and also the process of large and small privatisation can be interesting for business development in Ukraine.

In the field of infrastructure projects, it is worth mentioning the recently signed Memorandum between Ukrzaliznytsia (Ukrainian railways State company) and Ferrovie dello Stato (Italian railways group) on the implementation of a high-speed railway communication project. A strategic project for Ukraine, where foreign partnerships are decisive.

The event was organised at the Diplomatic Academy of Kyiv by the Council of Exporters and Investors under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Italian Embassy in Ukraine, the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Confindustria. The Council of Exporters and Investors is a platform where the Ministry of Foreign Affairs receives information on investment and trade opportunities from around the world. The Council facilitates business contacts between Ukrainian exporters and importers abroad.