Since the beginning of the full-scale military invasion of russia, Ukraine has been receiving fundamental assistance and support from Italy at all levels – defence, political, economic, humanitarian and support for our energy system. Rome played an important role in deciding on Ukraine’s EU candidate status, supports EU anti-russian sanctions and works for the Victory of Ukraine.
The Italian government provided direct financial assistance to Ukraine in the amount of €110 million. Through the mechanisms of international organisations, Italy has allocated another €25 million.
The company Snam provided 101 generators to the Ukrainian GTS Operator, which were essential for our specialists to carry out repair and restoration work at facilities damaged by hostilities and to maintain the GTS equipment. In addition, the Italian operator provided 9,000 metres of electrical cable. This product will be used to restore technological processes and power supply at the damaged facilities.
Italy has already provided Ukraine with five military aid packages. The items were sent to Ukraine: 544 ATGMs, 25 man-portable air defence systems, 15 howitzers, 177 mortars, artillery shells, 3,028 small arms, 4,722 bulletproof vests, 1,440 helmets, 300 radios, 2,0400 dry rations, ammunition, armoured personnel carriers, armoured vehicles, winter uniforms, tracked all-terrain vehicles, anti-radar missiles, and mine detectors.
The Italian government approved unanimously a resolution to extend the supply of weapons to Ukraine until 31 December 2023. The assistance will be used to strengthen air defence to protect the country’s infrastructure from russian missile and air attacks. The government is currently preparing the sixth package of military aid for Ukraine and is considering the possibility of supplying air defence systems jointly produced with France.
Italy is also ready to participate in the reconstruction of Ukraine, including the infrastructure destroyed by russia’s senseless war. The Italian humanitarian organisation Cesvi is already allocating the first half a million euros for the restoration of Ukrainian cities. However, the amount for reconstruction will be increased by charitable contributions from private and public donors, including the municipality of Bergamo, where the foundation is headquartered. The priority areas of reconstruction include the rebuilding and restoration of destroyed public and municipal infrastructure, housing reconstruction, and the re-equipment of special equipment fleets (ambulances, fire trucks, and public transport). It is noted that since the beginning of the war, the Cesvi Foundation has already allocated €1.5 million for humanitarian aid..
Ukraine and Italy will jointly promote the national brand “Made in Ukraine” on the European market with the support of Italian SMEs. This was agreed at the beginning of April 2023 during a video conference between Yuliia Svyrydenko, the First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine and Minister of Economy of Ukraine, and Adolfo Urso, Minister of Enterprise and Production of the Italian Republic. They also discussed the possibilities of developing cooperation between two countries in the light industry through wider involvement of specialised Ukrainian and Italian industrial associations.
The development of mutually beneficial trade and economic cooperation also remains an important priority for both countries.
Analyses of export and import operations between Dnipropetrovsk region and Italy demonstrate a high level of partnership, as Italy is one of the region’s key trade partner.
According to the results of 2022, the volume of goods exports from Dnipropetrovsk region decreased by 67% ($142.9 million), accounted for 2.3% of the region’s total exports. Among the goods that are in greatest demand among Italian consumers are ferrous metals and products, iron ore, mineral fertilisers, sunflower oil, etc.
Export operations were carried out by 94 companies from Dnipropetrovsk region. The main exporters are enterprises of the mining and metallurgical complex, agriculture and processing industry.
TOP-5 exporting companies (ranked by export volume):
Imports of goods from Italy to Dnipropetrovsk region amounted to $135.4 million (3.4% of the region’s total imports) and decreased by 28.6% compared to 2021.
Dnipropetrovsk region traditionally bought:
Import operations were carried out by 443 importers.
TOP-5 importers (ranked by volume of imported products):
Import operations were mainly carried out by processing, food, trade and machine-building enterprises.
Source: information for the article was taken from open online resources
