A press conference was held today to present the 26th edition of the Mostar International Economic Fair, of which Italy is a partner country. The event, scheduled from 8 to 12 April, is one of the most important trade fair events in Bosnia Herzegovina and, in general, in the entire Balkan region, in terms of the size of the exhibition space, number of exhibitors, and number of visitors.
The Italian Pavilion, realised by the ICE Agency and the Italian Embassy in Sarajevo, will be hosted in an area of 150 square metres where Italy's offer will be presented with a focus on tourism and the agri-food chain. Testifying to the dynamism of a strategic and successful sector all over the world, within the Italian space there will be companies from the food and supply chain such as packaging machinery, industrial shelving, and agricultural mechanisation. Quality, tradition, innovation and sustainability will be the keys for our companies to explore and consolidate business relations in a market that has always shown great appreciation for Italian products.
The data confirms this: Italy has historically held a prominent position in trade with Bosnia and Herzegovina, and in the relative ranking it is firmly in second place. Even more significant is the primacy that Italy has held for four consecutive years in the ranking of the main supplier countries.
The more strictly business aspect of Italy's participation in the Mostar Fair will be enriched by an articulated programme of initiatives, starting with the performance of the Tuscan band "Musica da Ripostiglio", a folk swing group known for its numerous collaborations with the main directors and actors of the contemporary Italian scene. "Musica da Ripostiglio" will perform on the opening morning of the Fair and on the same evening at the "Blinders Klub" of Mostar.
At the Italian Pavilion, it will be possible to visit the exhibition "Italian Avant-Garde" for the entire duration of the Fair: eight works by famous Italian artists of the early 20th century (starting with Amedeo Modigliani), on loan from "The Hub of Fine Arts" Museum in Mostar.
Visitors will be able to admire some iconic "Made in Italy" products at the Italian Pavilion: a Ferrari and Guzzi, Aprilia and Piaggio motorbikes. The digital exhibition "Benfatto", realised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation with ConfArtigianato, will also be shown at the Italian Pavilion. It is dedicated to the excellence of Italian craftsmanship and manufacturing in the food, furniture and furnishing accessories, fashion, jewellery and innovation sectors.
The Italian Pavilion will host a corner dedicated to Made in Abruzzo, promoted by the Agriculture Department of the Abruzzo Region and managed by the Regional Agency for Productive Activities (ARAP). On the afternoon of 9 April, there will be a wine tasting event of wines from all Italian regions, organised by the importer OnlyVIP.
On the second day of the Fair there will be a Workshop organised by ICE Agency with the Chamber of Commerce of the Federation of BiH, entitled 'Connected Region', in the presence, among others, of the Deputy Foreign Minister Josip Brkic and the President of the Chamber of Peoples Dragan Covic, with the aim of illustrating opportunities for bilateral economic cooperation. On the evening of 9 April, business-to-business meetings between companies from the two countries will be held, organised by the Chamber of Commerce of the Federation of BiH. On the occasion, the activities of the 'Association of Italian Businesses in Bosnia and Herzegovina' (AIIBH) will be presented.
"Our country last year confirmed itself as the first exporter to Bosnia and Herzegovina and the second global trade partner," said the Ambassador of Italy to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarah Castellani. "Our participation as a partner country at the Fair," she added, "is an acknowledgement of this primacy and an extraordinary showcase for our country. With a multi-sectoral character, the focus of the event is in fact on numerous sectors, where our country boasts excellence - from construction, to automotive, woodworking, agri-food production, chemistry, telecommunications and technology, banking, tourism, and sport'.
"Italy's participation in the International Fair of Mostar is part of the path of strengthening our bilateral economic partnership undertaken in recent years - most recently, with last year's Economic Dialogue in Sarajevo chaired by Minister Tajani - and confirms the strategic interest with which our country looks at the Western Balkans region".
"Particularly crucial," concluded the Ambassador, "is to continue to support the stability and security of Bosnia Herzegovina and its path to accession to the European Union: this is also why it is important to believe in the potential of this market".
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