| AZERBAIJAN-ITALY BUSINESS FORUM HELD
Azertag, 25 February 2005
The Azerbaijan-Italy business forum was held at the "Aldrovandi Palace" of Rome, February 25. President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended the forum.
The Forum organized by the Ministry of Economic Development of Azerbaijan and the Foreign Trade Institute of the Ministry of Production Activity Affairs of Italy, was opened by rector of the Institute Baniamino Quintieri. Then, speaking was the ambassador of Italy in Baku Margarita Costa and minister of Economic Development of Azerbaijan Farhad Aliyev, who dwelt on necessity of expansion of the economic links between two countries, involvement if Italian businessmen to invest in Azerbaijan's economy.
As was stated, over 60 businessmen from 50 companies of Azerbaijan were attending the Forum. They represented mainly the fields of light industry, metallurgy, machine building, construction, furniture production, and information technologies. Some 170 businessmen of Italy took part at the action.
It was also stated that Azerbaijan's Company "Gilan" and the Italian "Betvend TMCI Padovan" Company has reached a 5-million Euro agreement on construction of a tinned food factory. "Lotos" of Azerbaijan and "Aredo Luchia" companies have sealed a deal on creation of joint enterprise of production of chandeliers and other household devices.
The Italian businessmen have taken deep interest in many fields of Azerbaijan economy, including agriculture.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev made a large speech at the Forum. He spoke of his successful visit to Italy, noting it would give good impulse to development of economic links between two countries.
Speaking of the socio-political stability established in the country under the leadership of the nationwide leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev, Head of the Azerbaijan State dwelt on economic reforms conducted in the Republic, also emphasized that a good environment has been created for the foreign investment in the country.
President Ilham Aliyev spoke of the works done in the country's oil-gas sector in the frame of the "Contract of the Century" signed on development of the hydrocarbon reserves on the Caspian in the Azerbaijan sector, on billion dollars of investment made by foreign companies, on successful realization of the one of the largest projects in world - the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Main Export Pipeline.
Giving high value to the existent economic links between two countries, head of the Azerbaijan State reminded the Italian "Eni" Company cooperating with Azerbaijan oil projects since 1995, stressed that increase of commodity turnover and mutual trade widening of economic cooperation serves interests of two nations.
President Ilham Aliyev dwelt on integration of Azerbaijan to Europe, saying the country successfully copes with its duties in the global safety, in establishment of peace and tranquility in region.
Speaking of the reasons of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, its heavy sequences, Mr. Aliyev said delay of the problem hampers economic progress and security. President of Azerbaijan reminded the talk processes mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group in this direction.
Head of the Azerbaijan State expressed confidence that bilateral relations between two countries would further develop for the national interests of two states.
Then, President Ilham Aliyev talks to the Italian businessmen.
Afterwards, President of Azerbaijan talked to member of the Italian parliamentary delegation at the Council of Europe, Senator Fiorello Provera. Cooperation of Azerbaijan with PACE and support of Azerbaijan by Italy was in focus. Head of the Azerbaijan State thanked Mr. Provera.
On February 25, President Ilham Aliyev met with John Powell, Regional Director of World Food Program.
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