November 10, 2014, business forum "Milan-Moscow 2014. The new conditions. New opportunities and prospects. " was held  in the  Congress Centre of the Chamber of  Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation within the framework of the business program of the Days of Milan  in Moscow

The forum was attended by S.E . Cheremin , Minister of Moscow Government, Head of the Department for External Economic and International Relations of the Moscow; Alfonso D , vice mayor of Milan, Head of the Department of Trade, Industry and Tourism; N.Fontana , Head of Trade and Economic Section of the Embassy of Italy in Moscow; Oleg Bocharov, the Head of the Department of Science, Industrial Policy and Entrepreneurship of Moscow and  K.V. Krokhin, Chairman of the MCCI Commission on international trade cooperation with partners in Italian Republic and other officials.

Vice-President of the MCCI Suren Vardanyan, opening the forum, noted the importance of the visit of the delegation from Milan. “Despite the specific foreign policy conditions, we are pleased that a representative delegation from Milan interested in the possibility of business in Moscow. Moscow is open for foreign business and ready to create all the conditions for the arrival of Italian investors and entrepreneurs and to develop successful relationships and teamwork.”

Sergey Cheremin, Minister of Moscow Government , Head of the Department for External Economic and International Relations of Moscow, noted that the earlier occasional contacts between Moscow and Milan today transformed into a strong business cooperation and will continue to develop even more. According to Sergey Cheremin, Italy, on the basis of 2012 located at the fifth position by volume of mutual trade turnover with Russia, rose to fourth place in 2013. However, during the last half of the year this figure fell to $ 3.5 billion US dollars. "We hope, that  to   the end of 2014 we'll achieve  the results demonstrated in the last  year, 8 billion US dollars." - said the Minister.

Franco D'Alfonso, vice mayor of Milan,   noted the importance of cooperation between Moscow and Milan: "The link between Milan and Moscow is very strong and has deep roots. Russian tourists who visit Milan, come there not only for business or shopping, they are interested in our culture and reality ".  Vice mayor  of Milan emphasized the great importance of the business forum "Milan-Moscow 2014. The new conditions. New Opportunities and Prospects ", which provides an opportunity to make contacts and sign agreements to enhance cooperation between  two cities.

"Even in the difficult conditions of foreign policy we shouldn't digress and forget about the reasons why we are here. Inhabitants of Milan are very eager to strengthen relations with Moscow and move to the direction of creating the unity, not separation. Our citizens want to live in peace, to work together, because this  allows us   move forward and achieve our  goals, "- said F. D'Alfonso.

The Chairman of the MCCI Commission on international trade cooperation with partners in Italian Republic Mr. Konstantin Krokhin in his report outlined the opportunities offered to investors in the construction of residential and commercial infrastructure, energy facilities, social and cultural objects and urged Italian businessmen to increase the activity in the Russian market.

Two important documents was signed at the forum: the cooperation agreement between Moscow state Institute of tourism industry and Instituto Carlo Porta and agreement on the extension of the cooperation agreement between the University of Milano-Bicocca and the Russian International Academy of Tourism.

The second part of the forum was devoted to prospects of  New Moscow  development  and  cooperation in the field of modern architecture and landscape design. Forum guests watched a presentation of  New Moscow, its projects and opportunities. After the presentations, a direct B2B meetings between Italian and Moscow businessmen were held.

Municipality of Milan