• Agreement extends longstanding collaboration for the support of Italian companies exploring business opportunities in Eastern European countries

UniCredit and Confindustria Est Europa (CEE), an international arm of Confindustria that represents over a thousand Italian companies operating across Albania, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Hungary, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Montenegro, have signed a new partnership agreement.

The agreement, which is part of a consolidated and profitable common path between the parties, started in 2020 and now renewed until 2026, establishes UniCredit as the Official Partner of CEE, providing member companies with operational support and financial backing through its network of 13 leading banks in their respective countries and the International Center Italy structure, which operates as a single entry point to develop and support companies' internationalisation projects.

The agreement signed responds to the need to accompany Italian companies in territories characterised by great dynamism and significant business opportunities: GDP is growing by an average of 3% per year and per capita income is also multiplying rapidly, indicating sustained economic growth and an increase in the well-being of the population. In the last four years, Italy's trade with the target countries has risen from EUR 65 billion to EUR 99 billion, confirming Italy as one of their main exporters with a value of EUR 57 billion in 2023.

And further growth is expected in this area, following a 5.5% increase in Italian exports to Central European and Eastern European countries in the first six months of this year, with forecasts suggesting there is scope for as much as EUR 17 billion extra business for Italian businesses in these countries.

The stock of Italian direct investments has already grown rapidly in recent years. In particular, investment in infrastructure has increased, improving connectivity and facilitating trade. EU membership for many of these countries has contributed to these results, bringing greater integration into European supply chains, increasing structural cohesion funding and establishing a more harmonised regulatory framework.

Confindustria Eastern Europe, established in October 2010 to offer Italian entrepreneurs a new and transnational approach in the region, supports the path of membership and growth of entrepreneurial associations in the area, which is home to more than 4,000 companies, and continues to seek opportunities to consolidate the association's presence in the region.

UniCredit serves more than 15 million customers worldwide, including more than 6 million in Central and Eastern Europe. The Group ranks first in terms of assets in Eastern Europe and across the CEE region with an average market share of 12%, ranking first bank in Austria, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Croatia, and third in Bulgaria and Romania.

Remo Taricani, Deputy Head of UniCredit Italia, says: “In the new global scenario, Eastern European countries represent a growing area with great potential. The renewal of this partnership with Confindustria Eastern Europe and our strong presence in the region allow us to be a reference point for Italian companies in their internationalisation process.”

Maria Luisa Meroni, Chairman of Confindustria Est Europa, states: ‘Italy's commercial interaction with the countries in Eastern Europe is significant and enjoys excellent prospects for further growth. Confindustria Eastern Europe – with its network of Confindustria International Representations operating in individual countries – is a point of reference for internationalisation in the area. During my mandate I have aimed to bring more Eastern Europe to Italy and more Italy to Eastern Europe, contributing to the consolidation of existing economic-commercial relations and the identification of new business opportunities. The collaboration with UniCredit has led to the creation of valuable insights for companies looking to the East, and I am sure that through this renewed agreement further fruitful actions will be developed as a driver of growth for Italian companies in Eastern Europe.”

---

Additional media information:

Ekaterina Ancheva, tel +359 894 518 193 , flbufsjob/bodifwbAvojdsfejuhspvq/ch

Ina Gerdzhikova, tel +359 894 500 495, job/hfse{ijlpwbAvojdsfejuhspvq/ch