Azerbaijan, Italy seek to deepen trade ties
By Rashid Shirinov
The fourth meeting of the Azerbaijani-Italian intergovernmental commission is scheduled for June 13 in Rome. Representatives of Azerbaijani and Italian business sector will join the event to explore ways of boosting the bilateral ties.
“The meeting, that will be open for participation of companies from both countries, could be a good opportunity to discuss cooperation and serve as indicator to the importance of relations between the two countries, in particular in the economic sphere,” Italian Ambassador to Baku Giampaolo Cutillo told Trend on June 1.
The Azerbaijani delegation is expected to be headed by Energy Minister Natig Aliyev, who will participate at the meeting on economic issues and business forum. The current state of economic relations between the two countries and prospects of enhancing cooperation will be discussed at the session. Signing of a Protocol is planned after the meeting, the ministry announced earlier.
Luigi D'Aprea, head of the Italian chamber of Commerce to Baku, for his part, stated that Italy wants to increase the number of joint oil and gas projects with Azerbaijan.
“We have high expectations, and we are always ready to cooperate with Azerbaijan,” he told Trend.
Overall, Italy is one of the main trade partners of Azerbaijan. The country took the leadership in the list of trading partners of Azerbaijan with $462.44 million turnover in the first quarter of 2016, which accounts for 13% of the total bargaining of the country, according to the information provided by Azerbaijani State Customs Committee.
During the first quarter, Azerbaijan exported goods worth $368 million to Italy that makes up to 21% of the general export of Azerbaijan.
Half of Azerbaijani oil output of 2005 was exported to Italy. In turn, Azerbaijan imports oil pipes, tobacco, leather products and furniture from Italy.
--
Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov
Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz