International business in Italy

Italy has a diversified economy, which is divided into a developed industrial north, dominated by private companies, and a less-developed, agricultural south. The Italian economy is driven in large part by the manufacture of high-quality consumer goods produced by small and medium-sized enterprises, many of them family-owned.

In 2015 Italy has attracted 75 billion of foreign investment, an exploit that has been recognized by industry analysts. More than half of these funds were used to detect the minority shares, non-controlling, enterprises: those who invest as a minority shareholder does so because they have confidence.

What are vital Italy’s data for 2019?

Essential country data (World bank, over 2019)
Population (million) 60.36
GDP (Trillion USD) 2,004
GDP per capita (USD) 33,228
GDP per capita PPP (USD) 45,722
Purchasing power per dollar, compared to the USA 99%
Surface area (sq km) 301,338
% of population living in urban areas 70.74%
% of GDP added by agriculture – industry – services 1.93% – 21.42% – 66.27%
Ease of doing business index (1 = best, 180 = lowest) 58

While Northern Italy is the gathering spot of most industrial companies, making it the richest region in the nation, Southern Italy is not as well-to-do and is a less developed, agricultural area. The economic distribution, hence, is not even throughout Italy.

What are the business opportunities in Italy?

  • Agrifood products: fruits, vegetables, grapes, potatoes, sugar beets, soybeans, grain, olives; beef, dairy products; fish
  • Industries: tourism, machinery, iron and steel, chemicals, food processing, textiles, motor vehicles, clothing, footwear, ceramics

What are Italy’s top exports?

  • Engineering products
  • Textiles and clothing
  • Production machinery
  • Motor vehicles
  • Transport equipment
  • Chemicals
  • Foodstuff
  • Beverages
  • Tobacco
  • Minerals
  • Non ferrous metals

Italian politics

Italy is a multi party constitutional republic in which the Prime Minister and his council of ministers have executive power.

What are Italy’s important events?

Italy is rich in culture and religion, with ample historic, cultural and spiritual sites. Italy boasts of 50 UNESCO World Heritages Sites.

Italy has many trade shows, covering a variety of industries, such as:

  • EICMA International Bicycle & Motorcycle Exhibition,
  • EIMA International Agricultural and Gardening Machinery Exhibition
  • IPACK-IMA International Exhibition Packing and Packaging, Mechanical Handling, Food-processing Industrial Machinery,
  • SMAU International ICT Exibitions
  • PLAST International Exhibition for Plastics and Rubber Industries
  • LINEAPELLE International Exhibition of Leathers, Accessories, Components, Synthetic Products and Models for Footwear, Leather Goods, Leatherwear and Furnishing,
  • MICAM International Footwear Exhibition,
  • MIPEL International Leather Goods Market,
  • MLIAN FASHION exhibition week
  • SALONE INTERNAZIONALE DEL MOBILE Milan Furniture Fair,
  • CERSAIE International Exhibition of Ceramic Tile and Bathroom Furnishings
  • MADE EXPO International Architecture and Building Trade Show,
  • SAIE Building & Construction
  • COSMOPROF Worldwide Beauty Industry Exhibition,
  • FIERAGRICOLA International agricultural technologies show
  • VINITALY International Wine & Spirits Exhibition
  • CIBUS International Food Exhibition
  • TUTTOFOOD International Food Exhibition
  • SANA International Sustainable and Organic Food Exhibition

If you are interested in presenting yourself at one of these trade shows, let us support you and double the results of your trade show presence.

Having an export plan, as well as the local culture, is crucial if you want to do international business in Italy.

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