(ANSA) - SKOPJE, JUNE 12 - An Italian-Macedonian business forum focusing on investment projects and opportunities in the fields of infrastructure, energy and the environment in Macedonia began this morning in Skopje promoted by the ICE-Agency for the promotion abroad of Italian companies - and the Italian Embassy in Macedonia. About fifteen companies in the focus sectors - including Ferrovie dello Stato (National Railways) - are interested in establishing partnerships with Macedonian partners, and representatives of the major trade associations, such as ANCE, the national association of builders; OICE, the Italian association of engineering, architecture and technical consulting; ANIE, Italian Federation of electrical and electronic industry.

The event is attended by about 40 Macedonian companies. The Business Forum - moderated by the director of the Skopje ICE Office, Alessandra Capobianco - began with a plenary session attended by Macedonia's premier Zoran Zaev and the Italian Ambassador in Macedonia, Carlo Romeo, and Skopje mayor, Petre Shilegov. The Head of the Cooperation Office of the EU Delegation in Skopje and the Director of the Local Office of the EBRD presented the projects and programs they respectively support in the country. The event aims to confirm Italy's strong support for strengthening the participation of Italian companies in implementing development projects in the strategic sectors of connectivity and infrastructure in this area of Europe, helping to accelerate European integration of the Western Balkan countries. ''The countries in this region have always been a top priority for Italian foreign policy, which aims at their progressive integration into the EU'', said ambassador Romeo. At the summit of the Western Balkans in Trieste last year, thanks also to the Italian Presidency, the focus was on connectivity and infrastructure (approval of a 194 million EU contribution to support 7 infrastructure projects, of which 70 million for the project to build of the second track of the railway line on the eastern branch of Corridor 8 between Macedonia and the border with Bulgaria).

In recent years, there has been a growing involvement of Italian companies in infrastructure projects: currently 4 companies have construction or supervision contracts in major infrastructure projects which worth more than 125 million euros.(ANSA).