11.05.2014
Foiled contracts, a lot of businesses are on the verge of closing or have already stopped production. All this is the result of the policy of sanctions against Russia, which was imposed from Washington and Brussels.
The exhibition of construction machinery in Verona (Italy) is usually calm. There were no large transactions into the past three years. Times are difficult, European buyers are reluctant to fork out, and to deal with clients from Russia are impossible because of the threat of European officials in Brussels.
There are more negatives, than benefits. The construction sector in Italy, as well as the whole economy of the country, is still in crisis. The significant improvement of the situation, as acknowledged by the organizers of this international exhibition, is not observed. Market frozen, and it concerns Russia too. And all talks about the introduction of European politicians about economic sanctions against Russian nervous the Italian manufacturers, who wish to work in the direction of Russia, even more.
Industrial North of Italy is in the quarter of its features. Emilia-Romagna, Veneto and Lombardy are provinces with the most dense concentration of factories, they are like a locomotive, the last effort to pull the Italian economy.
The company of Montovani family used to break for a good deal. Their equipment for the demolition of old buildings and recycling of concrete waste have been in use worldwide half a century. They have their offices in France and Germany, Bulgaria, and production in China. They successfully worked in the Russian market for the last 10 years, but since the beginning of this year, sales plummeted. They don’t want to hear about possible economic sanctions against Russia, because the Italian producers suffer themselves.
"Of course, all this affects our business. Now we have difficulties in dealing with Russia. There are psychological and virtual barrier. But we are determined to continue the work. We have already sent another batch of goods and expect that the Russian market ’ll be a priority for us," - said Vice President of MBI Paolo Montovani. Russian tricolor at the entrance of the plant is a clear sign of preferences of the foreign partners to work with. There is a similar picture: crushing and screening equipment for waste-free processing of the roadway. 50% of the products recently was took away by the Russian consumer. The President of the Company Danilo Sarti does not hide the disappointment in the European policy of recent months. The calm in working with Russia may force it to cut staff by at least a quarter, and then in half.
"I can express my personal opinion and it is similar to what many entrepreneurs think in Italy. We want to work with Russia. These sanctions, which have not yet introduced, will cause only harm to all. Politicians should not interfere with the business " - says the president of CAMS Danilo Sarti.
In recent years, trade between Italy and Russia has gone up. Mutual investments amount to hundreds of millions dollars. The business community here sees Russia as a dynamic market, which can ‘t be found in Europe.
Production of components for the automotive industry is one of the most developed sectors of the Italian economy. Car seats, luggage, plastic products for air conditioners or furnaces. Among the clients there are Russian automakers. Italian companies do not intend to lose them.
"The difficulties between Russia and Ukraine must be decided by these countries. The intervention of Brussels officials or the United States does not help the situation. We are closely watching the news, and we hope that this crisis will not spoil our cooperation with Russia," - says commercial director of MPT- Plastic Stefano Toviani.
Italian producers hopes, that temporary difficulties could be overcome. Many of them are now actively looking for ways to continue business relations with Russia. After all, business as a bicycle: stop moving and you ‘ll fall.
according to the: First Channel