意大利驻渝总领事馆开馆重庆为打造中西部领事高地再迈重要步伐

□ 文/本刊记者 李静

▲ 意大利驻重庆总领事马斐桐。

“重庆是西部地区唯一的直辖市，发展潜力巨大。特别是近年来，重庆和意大利的交流日益密切，现在是意大利政府公共开支紧缩的时期，政府对国外的外交领事馆都进行了调整，但是对于在重庆新开领事馆是支持的，这说明我们非常看重西南片区，希望能加强联系。”2013年12月30日，意大利驻重庆总领事馆开馆，首任意大利驻重庆总领事马斐桐（Sergio Maffettone）在开馆仪式上向媒体记者表达了意大利政府对重庆的重视，并详细介绍了领馆之后的工作计划。重庆市外事侨务办公室副主任陈高山参加了开馆仪式。

意大利驻重庆总领事馆是意大利在中国西部设立的第一家领事馆，主要负责重庆、四川、贵州、云南的工作。之前，意大利除驻北京大使馆外，仅在北京、上海、广州、香港设有领事馆。意大利驻渝总领事馆开馆，为助推重庆打造中西部领事高地又迈出了重要步伐。

今年6月开始受理西南地区签证

马斐桐告诉记者，领事馆以后的工作重点是促进重庆和意大利的经贸往来，其中城市化建设、环境和工业的可持续发展、农业及食品、医疗将是他们在经济领域的核心工作。“我们会协助意大利企业进入中国市场，同时为中国企业去意大利投资创造便利条件，尤其是对中意合资企业，以此实现互利共赢。希望在2015年米兰世博会之前让更多的重庆企业和市民到意大利。”马斐桐表示，为此他将主动前往云贵川三省和重庆各个区县进行考察和交流，了解当地的特色和需求，搭建起西南地区和意大利商贸文化往来交流的桥梁。“现在仍有许多很好的意大利品牌在中国还不为人知。他们希望能通过领事馆的沟通，让更多的意大利品牌来到重庆，让重庆市民能享受到最新最前沿的世界时尚潮流。”

意大利在欧洲经济位居第二，制造业强大，时尚家居、家具、生物科技、汽车制造等领域在欧洲都发展良好，其手工业发达，以为客户量身打造产品著称。如今也有一些意大利加工企业在西南地区入驻。重庆到意大利还没有直飞航线，马斐桐表示，他希望能够推动意大利和重庆直飞航线的设立，希望有更多的重庆商人、游客和学生能够更方便的前往意大利。

除此以外，马斐桐表示，将会加深文化艺术方面的交流，让学生、学校之间多多互访，个人间的联系可以深化到两国间的合作。他希望有更多的中国学生到意大利学习，在音乐、歌唱、艺术、建筑等方面进行深造。

目前，意大利驻重庆总领事馆馆舍还有待装修，临时办公地点在洲际酒店，预计2014年6月可以开始受理西南地区的签证。据悉，申请意大利签证拒签率很低，只要申请人满足相关法规规定，都可以通过。因为意大利属于申根国家，按照新规定，持意大利签证不需要首站必须到意大利，从任何一个申根国家进出欧洲都可以。

意大利总领事“很重庆”

首任意大利驻重庆总领事马斐桐虽然是第三次来重庆，却非常喜欢重庆文化。他对重庆的感觉很好，重庆城市很漂亮，重庆人性格豪爽、勤奋、积极的态度，给他留下了非常深刻的印象。“我最爱吃重庆的火锅、毛肚、猪脑花等火锅烫菜。”他表示，中国的菜系众多，而他的家乡意大利也有很多美食，与重庆很相似。也许正因为如此，才让他对重庆的美食文化十分着迷，对这座城市感觉亲切。

原是意大利驻华大使馆新闻参赞的马斐桐，在中国已经工作了3年多，说着一口流利的中文。在此之前，他在阿富汗和阿尔及利亚担任过意大利外交官。“我是一名专业的外交官，一直从事外交工作。”马斐桐说，2010年在得知自己要到中国工作后，他前往北京大学学习了中文，虽然只有短短四个月时间，但他已经能说和写中文。“当时学习完毕考试，要写一篇500字的文章，我可是顺利通过了考试。”马斐桐说，这多亏他喜欢和当地人交朋友，所以中文才提升得很快。

对于自己的中文水平，马斐桐十分谦虚，他表示，自己的中文还有很大的进步空间，这次来重庆担任总领事是他自己主动要求的，觉得这是一次很好的机会，也希望能多了解重庆的文化，更好的学习中文。

谈到意大利，马斐桐也情不自禁地“推销”起自己的国家来：“意大利是一个很美的国家，我希望有越来越多的人去意大利。如果是第一次去意大利，当然要去罗马、米兰、佛罗伦萨等知名的城市和景点，不过，要感受真正的意大利，其实是在一些小地方。”

马斐桐说，意大利的每个城市都有悠久的历史，特别是在文艺复兴时期，每个城镇都在比拼着打造最好的艺术和建筑，正因如此，意大利的城市不大，但每个城镇都有经典的建筑和艺术品，每一个地方都不一样。包括美食，在意大利开车50公里，吃到的东西都会不一样。他建议，对于再去意大利旅游的游客，可以租车自驾游，托斯卡纳、西西里岛等都是值得细细品味的地方。

重庆与意大利的外经贸交往情况

2012年1-12月，重庆对意大利出口41510万美元，同比增长55.2%；同期，重庆从其进口14600万美元，同比增长40.6%。2013年1-11月，对意大利出口35907万美元，同比下降8.6%；从意大利进口34483万美元，同比增长161%。

重庆对意大利主要出口商品是活塞内燃引擎、肝素及盐、钢铁制品、其他板、片及带等；主要进口产品是工业用电炉及电烘箱、压缩机容积测试仪、汽轮机、饮料及液体食品灌装设备等。

截止2013年11月底，我市累计设立意大利外商投资企业34个，合同外资5190万美元，实际使用外资2908万美元。主要涉及制造业、房地产业、批发和零售业等。主要企业有上汽菲亚特红岩动力总成有限公司、重庆宝钢美威车轮有限公司、重庆(意大利)罗伯特服装有限公司、重庆庆兰实业有限公司等。

截止目前，重庆力帆实业(集团)进出口有限公司2009年7月设立力帆意大利有限责任公司，总投资150万美元，主要从事各型汽车，汽车发动机，摩托车、摩托车发动机、通机、零部件进出口等，并为所销售产品提供售后服务。

Consulate-Genaral of Italy in Chongqing Opened Important Step for Chongqing to be the Western Consular Highland

"Chongqing is the only municipality in the West China with huge potentials,especially in recent years, the exchange between Chongqing and Italy is increasingly close, during the period of Italy government’s austerity in public spending, the government has adjusted the diplomatic consulates abroad, but very supportive on the newly opened consulate in Chongqing, which suggested that they attrached great importance to southwest area, hoping to strengthen the ties. ” Consulate-Genaral of Italy in Chongqing opened on December 30, 2013, the f i rst Italy Consul-General in Chongqing Sergio Maffettone introduced the details of the consular work plan. Chen Gaoshan ,Deputy Director of Chongqing Foreign and Overseas Chinese Affairs Off i ce attended the opening ceremony.

Consulate-Genaral of Italy in Chongqing is the first consulate that is set up in the southwest region, mainly responsible for Chongqing, Sichuan, Guizhou and Yunnan.Before that Italy only has consulates in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong. Consulate-Genaral of Italy in Chongqing has taken an important step for Chongqing to be the western consular highland.

Starting to Accept Visa in Southwest this June

Sergio Maffettone told the media that the work of Consulate-Genaral in Future will focus on promoting economic and trade exchanges between Chongqing and Italy, urbanization, sustainable development of environment and industry, agriculture and food, medical care will be their core work in the economic f i eld. “We would help Italy enterprises to enter the market in China while creating favorable conditions for Chinese enterprises to invest in Italy, especially the Italian joint venture enterprises to achieve mutual benefit and winwin situation.He hoped more Chongqing citizens go to Italy before the Milan Expo 2015. ” Mr. Maffettone will take the initiative to Guizhou ,Sichuan and various districts and counties in Chongqing to carry out study and exchange and learn about local characteristics and needs, built a bridge of business communication between Southwest China and Italy. “There are still many good Italy brands that are not known by Chinese.They hope to allow more Italy brands come to Chongqing so the Chongqing residents will enjoy the latest world of fashion through communication of the Consulate.”

Italy is the second in economy in Europe, strong in the manufacturing sector, fashion, furniture, areas such as biotechnology, automobile manufacturing are well developed in Europe, developed in craft and is known for its customers tailormade products.Now there are some Italy processing enterprises move in into the southwest. There is no direct f l ight from Chong qing to Italy for now, Mr. Maffettone hoped to promote the establishment of direct f l ight so more businessmen, tourists and students are able to travel to Italy.

In addition, Mr. Maffettone will deepen cultural and artistic exchanges, more exchange of visits among students, schools, and personal contact.He hoped that more Chinese students can go to Italy to study music, singing, art, architecture and other aspects of education.At present, Consulate General of Italy in Chongqing is expected to start accepting visa this June.

Italy Consulate General of Very "Chongqing" Style

Although it’s the third time come to Chongqing, Mr. Maffettone loves Chongqing culture very much. He had good impression of Chongqing, beautiful city and friendly people with uninhibited character and positive attitude. “My favorite food here is hot pot. ” He said, there are many delicious food in Italy that are quite similar like Chongqing’s , which is why he’s so into Chongqing food, feeling like his hometown.

Mr. Maffettone had been in China for over 3 years and speaks fluent Chinese.He was served as Italy diplomat in Afghanistan and Algeria. “I am a professional diplomat who has been engaged in diplomatic work. ” after he was told that he would be going to China in 2010, he went to the Beijing University to study Chinese, although it is only a short time of four months, he had been able to speak and write Chinese.

Mr. Maffettone said there is still great space for his improvement in Chinese, served as Consul-General in Chongqing was his own initiative and he thinks this a good opportunity, also he would like to know more about Chongqing's culture.

When speak of Italy,he said: "Italy is a very beautiful country, I hope that more and more people go to Italy.If this is your f i rst time to Italy, Rome, Florence, Milan can’t be missed, but to feel the real Italy is in some smaller places. ”

Maffettone said, every city in Italy has a long history, especially during the Renaissance, each town was trying to build the best of art and architecture, for this reason, cities in Italy are small but have classical architecture and works of art, each place is different. He suggested that tourists in Italy can rent cars for self-drive, Tuscany, Sicily are worth a soft look.