Confindustria Balcani – the business organization of the Italian companies and UniCredit attract foreign investors in the region with a series of business seminars for Italian companies

Bulgaria is a very good choice for the Italian companies, desiring to expand their business in the attractive Balkan region. With a population of 54 million people, expected GDP for the region of EUR 238 billion for 2012 and forecast average GDP growth of 3.5% in the forthcoming years, the countries from the Balkan peninsula appear to be the heart of New Europe.

These were the words of Andrea Casini, Chief Operative Officer and Deputy Chairman of the Management Board of UniCredit Bulbank delivered in front of 150 representatives of Italian companies, participating in the business conference entitled „Target – the Balkans: Italy in the center of New Europe”.

The event which took place late last evening in Milan, was organized by the strongest Italian business organization – Confindustria and one of the largest Bulgarian banks – UniCredit. Media partner is the most influential Italian business daily „Il Sole 24 Ore”.

The main idea is in a series of seminars in Italy this and next year to be presented to the Italian companies information about the Region’s favourable economic and demographic features and to encourage them to expand their business abroad thus encouraging the foreign direct investments in the countries from the Balkan peninsula and the creation of new jobs in the region.

“The Balkan area is extremely important economically for Italy”, Confindustria Balkani’s President Luigi Salvadori said. Italy’s commercial turnover with the Balkans is EUR 16.7 billion. “Out of that amount the Italian export for the Balkans alone amounts to EUR 11.7 billion for the previous year, which is more than the Italian export for huge markets like China (EUR 8.6 billion), for India (EUR 3.3 billion) or Brasil (EUR 3.8 billion).”, Mr. Salvadori added.

 

The participants in the event were united around the idea that Italy is excellently positioned to leverage on the growth potential of the region and at the same time the Italian companies to optimize their production and markets through expansion on the Balkans.

“The favourable climate for investments in Bulgaria and in the other Balkan countries is supported by the low corporate tax, which stands at 10% in Bulgaria and Serbia, the stability of the financial system, the possibility for access to over EUR 30 billion European funds for the Member-states such as Bulgaria and Romania”, Mr. Casini added.

Currently there are around 800 operative companies in Bulgaria. They are represented in almost all sectors and account for more than 20,000 jobs mainly in the fields of machine-building, utilities, the energy sector, infrastructure, agrarian production, services, real estate properties. Among the popular Italian names present in Bulgaria are: ENEL, Generali, Italcementi, Miroglio, Edison, Petrolvilla, Lavazza, Luigi Salvadori Spa, Rigoni di Asiago, Gruppo Caraglio, CS Trading, Ferrero, etc.

With its more than 800 branches, 14,500 employees and over 3.3. mio customers, UniCredit is the undisputed leader on the Balkans and a natural financial partners of the Italian companies ready to invest in the region. In Bulgaria alone the specialized unit for servicing of Italian companies has an active credit portfolio with financing of over EUR 200 mio.

 

“We have to be fair and say that for many Italian companies, the Balkans are still considered insecure and countries with dangers. Investing abroad gives many opportunities but also risks and it is extremely useful for the Italian companies to have a local partner such as Confindustria Balcani which to give timely and accurate information”, said Confindustria Lombardia President Alberto Barcela, who was acting as a host of the event. He underlined that according to information of Confindustria Lombardia the investments of 1200 Italian companies from Lombardia region abroad, including CEE exceed EUR 8 billion and give work to over 82 thousand employees.

Notable comment at the conference came from the owner of one Italian company which has invested more than EUR 60 mio in the Balkan region since 1992. In his opinion, it would be extremely useful for the Italian companies to make Joint Ventures and thus to benefit from a strong local management and from the experience and their knowledge of the local market.

About Confindustria

Confindustria is the largest business organization of the Italian companies. Confindustria Balcani which was set up in 2010 unites over 1000 Italian companies which have decided to work and develop an activity on the Balkans and mostly in Macedonia, Bosna Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Serbia and Romania. UniCredit is a strategic partner of Confindustria Balcani with the aim to assist the Italian entrepreneurs in expanding their business in the region.

More information for media:

UniCredit Bulbank, Identity & Communications Department

Viktoria Blajeva, Phone: + 359 2 9264 993, wjlj/ebwjepwbAvojdsfejuhspvq/ch

Ekaterina Ancheva, Phone: + 359 2 9264 963, еlbufsjob/bodifwbAvojdsfejuhspvq/ch

More information for clients: UniCredit Bulbank, Call Centre Phone: 0700 1 84 84