"Exploring international markets is an important part of our industrial plan," Battisti said on the sidelines of the Ambrosetti business forum in Cernobbio. "In the world there are a lot of opportunities to develop motorway and railway infrastructures and we have the skills to do that," he added. He said the US contract involved maintenance operations in the cities of Los Angeles and Washington.
Asked about a possible delay of a Sept. 15 deadline to present a plan for the rescue of Alitalia, Battisti said: "We will meet with the new Italian government and then define the timing of the deal". Sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Thursday that FS and the other bidders were expected to ask the government for more time to submit their proposals.