Bilateral trade between India, Italy has doubled: Fabio Rugge

PUNE: Bilateral trade between India and Italy has doubled over the last two fiscals, the outgoing Italian Consul General Fabio Rugge said on Tuesday.

Rugge who had come to Chakan, 50 km from here, to attend the inaugural function of the new plant of Italian auto component major BREMBO, told reporters that the bilateral trade between the two countries touched $6.5 billion mark in the last year with India claiming a major share. Italy's imports from India were to the tune of $1.5 billion, he added.

Both the countries mainly traded in textiles and auto machinery, Rugge said.

The Consul General who completed his four year tenure in Mumbai said he was leaving the country with mixed feelings after the November 26 terror attacks which rattled the world and put a question mark on the security of foreign nationals.

"Things have since improved and a better climate is prevailing," he added.

Rugge, replying to a query, said the Satyam fiasco had certained dealt a severe blow to India's corporate image.