The Hindu Business Line : Italy seeks trade ties with India

Udine (Italy), Sept. 24 After centuries of unilateral trade focus on Europe and the US, the North Eastern provinces of Italy have begun to show an increasing interest in trade and commerce with the East — especially with India and China. Addressing a batch of journalists from India, President of the Chamber of Commerce of Udine, Mr Valduga Adalberto said that the regions had a similar industrial history and should be part of a similar growth process , which would be of mutual benefit.

The basis of industrialisation of both India and the regions of Friuli Venezia Giulia was based on agriculture. The initial industrial phase in both countries was rooted on small and medium scale family businesses, which increased to assume large global proportions. The North Eastern Provinces of Udine, Pordenone, Gorizia and Trieste were also keen to participate in the dynamic global growth of the IT revolution and wanted to partner the growth with Indian companies.

For this, a 25-member delegation comprising of company representatives from the region had visited Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore in India.

Meanwhile, several big companies of the region had already taken the initiative in fostering links and increasing bilateral trade between the two countries.

The € 360 million Fantoni group with 1,350 employees and presence in several countries is opening up new commercial links in Bangalore. Fantoni, the largest Medium Density Fibre manufacturer in Italy and one of the largest in Europe has also drawn up plans for Mumbai, Delhi, Pune and Hyderabad. “We want to be part of the Indian growth story. We believe in a new Indian era of partnership and growth,” Mr Paolo Fantoni, Managing Director said.

Similarly, the € 600 million Savio ITEMA group has already made a foray into the textiles sector of Coimbatore. The company has bought land and is in the process of setting up a textile spinning facility to bring in the new generation ‘two-for-one twister’ technology to the region.

Coffee is another major enterprise of Italy. Raw coffee beans are imported from most parts of the globe and India is the third largest exporter, after Brazil and Vietnam. With a per capita consumption level of four kg per person and exports to several countries, Italy in general and Trieste in particular has a significant place in global coffee trade.

Italy has over 800 coffee roasting units and also a large number of units, which are into coffee making and Expresso machines. Coffee is such an inalienable habit in Italy that specific regions of Italy prefer coffee grown in specific parts of India. Monsoon coffee is a favourite among the various Indian coffee consumed in Italy, Mr Furio Suggi Liverani, Director illycaffe s.p.a. said.

“Indian grapes and wines are quite good,” Mr Giorgio Colutta, Proprietor of Colutta Wines said. But it has a long way to go before the average Indian wine can attain international standards. Italian wineries have shown keenness to support and extend technology and expertise in wine making. “Then there is the huge domestic market waiting to be tapped as the purchasing power of the average Indian goes up,” Mr Colutto said.

The Port of Trieste with its 18 metre natural draft and ideal all weather rail and road connection, provides easy entry to most countries of South East Europe — Eastern Austria, Hungary, Germany, Czechoslovakia and Northern Italy.

“India and China are two global giants who are instrumental in boosting global trade and shipping . We welcome India to increase the trade with the region through the Port of Trieste,” Ms Fracesca Trampus, Director of Port of Trieste said.

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