It is a source of great pleasure for us that, only three years on from 2005, Italy again has the honour of being the Partner Country at the Plovdiv Autumn Technical Fair. This is a remarkable acknowledgement of our ever-closer ties with Bulgaria.

From 29 September to 4 October, ancient Trimontium, once the flourishing hub of the Roman Empire's Thracian province, will be hosting more than 80 leading machinery and machine tool manufacturers in the 850 m2 Italian Pavilion organized by ICE - the Italian Institute for Foreign Trade.

Italian companies have been looking to Bulgaria in increasing numbers over the past years. Our bilateral relations have been witnessing steady growth, with overall trade in 2007 reaching an unprecedented 3.2 billion euros. As Bulgaria's second business partner, our imports from Bulgaria were worth 1.3 billion while Italian exports to Bulgaria amounted to 1.9 billion. The outlook for 2008 is equally encouraging: official figures published in early August place Italian-Bulgarian trade at 1.4 billion euros as at end May 2008.

We at ICE have good reason to expect this trend to continue. With over 40 events held throughout the country between 23 May and 9 June, this year's Italian Festival was very well received by operators and consumers alike. A comprehensive showcase was offered of Italian quality production in food and wine, fashion, furniture and accessories, design, cinema and the arts.

As for capital goods, the Plovdiv Autumn Technical Fair is the highlight of our year's activities. Once again, the Italian machinery industry will be displaying the results of a long-standing tradition for excellence and innovative design. Purchases of Italian machinery and equipment in Bulgaria were up 20% last year (to over 400 million euros); similarly, our imports amounted to 45 million euros, marking the extent of our co-operation with Bulgaria which, indeed, is highest in this very sector.

A number of accompanying events will be enhancing our participation this year. Seminars on business and investment opportunities in Bulgaria and cultural events will be held and will culminate in the Italian Day on 30 September. You are warmly invited to participate and we look forward to welcoming you at the Italian Pavilion.