Лекция: Read the article

Value of being ' Made in Italy '

by Rachel Sanderson

In Palazzo Strozzi, a Renaissance palace overlooking Florence's Arno River, Ferruccio Ferragamo, owner of luxury shoe brand Salvatore Ferragamo, is explaining why his shoes are «Made in Italy». Mr Ferragamo's father, Salvatore, put handmade shoes on the feet of Marilyn Monroe and Sophia Loren, Lauren Bacall and Judy Garland. But many people might think that his son is living in different times, with rising Chinese and Indian manufacturing companies putting Italian companies out of business.

A decade ago, many economists, in Italy and outside, were convinced that the small and medium-sized businesses that make up a large part of the country's economy were in decline. The Italians could not compete with rival manufacturing countries in Asia. Their productivity was too low and too costly. But the country's exports are estimated to have grown 12.5 per cent this year, with forecasts of 8 per cent for next year's growth.

The surge has been caused by the attraction of «Made in Italy» goods to the middle classes of rapidly growing economies, including Brazil and China. And whether it is sending furniture to Russia, textiles to Egypt, rubber and plastic products to Turkey or wine making equipment to Chile, emerging markets are proving increasingly important for Italy's entrepreneurs.

The place where a product is made is very important for Chinese consumers. By some estimates, China is now the world's biggest luxury market. This has allowed the industry to raise prices by 10 per cent in the past 12 months. As Mr Ferragamo says, «We cannot make enough to keep up with the demand from the Chinese. They want their shoes not just made in Italy, but often made in Florence.»

 

еще рефераты
Еще работы по иностранным языкам