To create stronger bilateral relationships, consolidate positions of leadership on the market, and open up new export prospects: these are the objectives of a new economic mission to China, involving 250 Italian companies. This important initiative is being coordinated by the Italian Trade Commission, in collaboration with Confindustria (the Italian industrial confederation) and the Italian Banking Association, and with support from both the Ministry of Development and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Between May 30th and June 4th, the mission will visit Shanghai, Beijing and Chongqing, the three major hubs of Chinese economic life.   During a very intensive programme, the mission will seek to expand all possible opportunities for cooperation between the two countries and to increase investment offers for Italian businesses. The Chinese market is rich in potential, and has sustained its growth despite the world economic crisis, thanks in large part to measures taken by the Government. Indeed, in the last six months of 2009, the GDP grew considerably compared with previous quarters, achieving an annual percentage of around 7.1%.   In this dynamic environment, Italy ranks as one of the China’s most important commercial partners, third among the EU states behind only France and Germany, and eleventh in the world. There can be no better opportunity, therefore, for Italian companies to put forward their products, holding bilateral talks with Chinese operators, such as those scheduled for their visits to Chongqing and Beijing. They will have the chance to discuss new projects in special seminars dedicated to the automotive industry, energy and environmental protection, mechanics, consumer goods, food and agriculture, and investment opportunities. In addition, they will take part in guided tours of the Expo pavilions in Shanghai.     The Italian offering will be highly diversified, covering almost all sectors: it will range from clothing to wooden furniture, from refuse and water treatment to productive technologies, and will include information about the financial and legal instruments available to potential Chinese investors. The Italian mission to China will certainly be able to propose itself as number one in terms of guaranteed quality of service, reliability, attention to security, elegance and good taste. This shop-window, on the other hand, is exceptionally important, China being the third largest market in the world in terms of national turnover. The previous overseas mission by “System Italy” involved South American countries, and Brazil and Chile in particular. The Italian companies participating numbered 216, fewer than those involved in the Chinese initiative, but this compared with a very high number of interested local businesses (approximately 900). About 2000 bilateral meetings were arranged, and the mission recorded a satisfaction rating equivalent to 91%. We hope to do even better in China, thanks also to the support of expert diplomats and economists, who will help the Italian entrepreneurs to find their bearings in the Chinese market, so that they do not pass over any business opportunities that arise, and behave with absolute correctness in meetings with local operators. To create stronger bilateral relationships, consolidate positions of leadership on the market, and open up new export prospects: these are the objectives of a new economic mission to China, involving 250 Italian companies. This important initiative is being coordinated by the Italian Trade Commission, in collaboration with Confindustria (the Italian industrial confederation) and the Italian Banking Association, and with support from both the Ministry of Development and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Between May 30^th and June 4^th, the mission will visit Shanghai, Beijing and Chongqing, the three major hubs of Chinese economic life.

During a very intensive programme, the mission will seek to expand all possible opportunities for cooperation between the two countries and to increase investment offers for Italian businesses. The Chinese market is rich in potential, and has sustained its growth despite the world economic crisis, thanks in large part to measures taken by the Government. Indeed, in the last six months of 2009, the GDP grew considerably compared with previous quarters, achieving an annual percentage of around 7.1%.

In this dynamic environment, Italy ranks as one of the China’s most important commercial partners, third among the EU states behind only France and Germany, and eleventh in the world. There can be no better opportunity, therefore, for Italian companies to put forward their products, holding bilateral talks with Chinese operators, such as those scheduled for their visits to Chongqing and Beijing. They will have the chance to discuss new projects in special seminars dedicated to the automotive industry, energy and environmental protection, mechanics, consumer goods, food and agriculture, and investment opportunities. In addition, they will take part in guided tours of the Expo pavilions in Shanghai.

The Italian offering will be highly diversified, covering almost all sectors: it will range from clothing to wooden furniture, from refuse and water treatment to productive technologies, and will include information about the financial and legal instruments available to potential Chinese investors. The Italian mission to China will certainly be able to propose itself as number one in terms of guaranteed quality of service, reliability, attention to security, elegance and good taste. This shop-window, on the other hand, is exceptionally important, China being the third largest market in the world in terms of national turnover.

The previous overseas mission by “System Italy” involved South American countries, and Brazil and Chile in particular. The Italian companies participating numbered 216, fewer than those involved in the Chinese initiative, but this compared with a very high number of interested local businesses (approximately 900). About 2000 bilateral meetings were arranged, and the mission recorded a satisfaction rating equivalent to 91%.

We hope to do even better in China, thanks also to the support of expert diplomats and economists, who will help the Italian entrepreneurs to find their bearings in the Chinese market, so that they do not pass over any business opportunities that arise, and behave with absolute correctness in meetings with local operators.