Italian businessmen to come to SPIEF despite EU pressure

The Italian business community will be widely represented at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), despite pressure from the European Union (EU). This was announced on May 7 by Vittorio Torrembini, President of the Association of Italian Entrepreneurs in Russia.

According to him, the forum will be attended by about 5,000 people from Italy, including businessmen, experts, journalists, students, and representatives of creative professions.

"Five thousand people are business people, artists, translators, journalists, and students. And, by the way, pensioners who have found love in Russia and have been living here for a long time," Torrembini's statement is quoted by RIA Novosti.

He stressed that the Italian delegation would include both representatives of companies already operating in the Russian market and those considering entering it in the future.

According to the head of the association, the participants plan to hold a separate round table at the forum with business representatives from other European countries. The meeting will discuss the prospects for economic cooperation, current constraints and possible scenarios for the development of European business in Russia in the future.

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On May 6, Estonian President Alar Karris announced the desire of European companies to return to Russia. At the same time, the president stressed that many European companies are closely monitoring the development of the situation and some businesses are considering a possible return to the Russian market. He added that any future contacts with Russia are possible only in the post-conflict perspective and if the current situation changes.