The attractiveness of “annexed” territories: representatives of 40 countries flocked to Crimea

More than one hundred and fifty foreigners from forty countries arrived in Yalta for the International Economic Forum, which is being held for the third time this year.

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This was reported by the YIEF press service.

According to the deputy of the Council of the Veneto Region, Stefano Valdegamberi, almost all regions of Italy are represented at the Forum.

“Here are people who have a strong intention to find partners in Crimea in a variety of sectors of the economy. Our presence is a political step. We want Russia to become a full partner of the international economic community and not be excluded from it. We, in particular the Veneto region, have taken the initiative to lift sanctions against Russia,” Valdegamberi said.

Deputy Mayor of Rovigo Ezio Conchi hopes to establish friendly relations with the city of Yalta with the prospect of concluding a twinning agreement.

“I believe that there should be no exchange of sanctions. Sanctions even create everyday inconvenience for ordinary residents: I couldn’t fly directly from Italy to Crimea - I have to fly through Moscow. The fact that entrepreneurs and politicians from Italy are present here already suggests that barriers will be broken and sanctions will be overcome,” says Conchi
Cevdet Evgar, General Director of the Turkish company Gurbag Construction, which is engaged in the construction of infrastructure facilities and residential complexes.

“We want to assess the job prospects. If we are offered interesting projects on the peninsula, we are ready to participate in them and enter into contracts. And we will closely monitor what contracts will be concluded here in Crimea for construction in order to be aware,” added the guest from Turkey.

Aydemir Zoral, president of Nace (Turkey), which produces drilling equipment, also arrived in Crimea to explore the market. He does not consider the fact that the company is already represented in Ukraine to be an obstacle.

“We would like to establish friendly relations with business partners here, and in the future build a plant for the production of drilling equipment and a cement plant in Crimea. Our products are already supplied to Crimea. We are not afraid of any pressure from Ukraine, this is trade and business, we have the right to work with any business partners,” Zoral said.

Chairman of the Greece-Russia Friendship Society Pavlos Christou is upset that at the current forum the largest delegation is Italian, and not Greek, as in the past.

“I am confident that in the current sanctions dispute between Russia and the West, Russia will ultimately win. As a member of the EU, there is no benefit from these sanctions; politics creates pressure on the economy - and that’s all. Greek business is already actively working in Crimea. This is happening under the pressure of European sanctions, and this must be taken into account, so we will not name personalities, but our entrepreneurs work in Yalta, Simferopol, Sevastopol, are engaged in the construction of hotels and the supply of equipment,” Christou said.

The Yalta International Economic Forum (YIEF) is an annual international business event in the economic sphere, held in Crimea. YIEF is one of the four largest economic forums in Russia along with the St. Petersburg Economic Forum, the Eastern Economic Forum and the Russian Investment Forum in Sochi.