importance, especially as far as natural gas is concerned, currently one of our most precious energy sources and bound to see much greater development in future as a result of liberalisation and competitive energy markets.

I also wish to underline that the selection of Ravenna as OMC venue is especially felicitous, since there is a long tradition of exploration and production activities in this area, and Ravenna has been rightly promoted as the Mediterranean energy capital.

OMC has become a leading event for the oil business, as it attracts every two years in Ravenna Energy Authorities from North Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, as well as top executives and experts of Oil Companies, Contractor and Service Companies from worldwide .

This development should also be viewed against the wider scenario of energy exchanges around the Mediterranean, among oil-producing and oil-consuming countries.

Antonio Marzano
Italian Minister of Industry