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The Japan Times
WORLD EYE REPORTS
NORTHERN ITALY |
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©THE JAPAN TIMES
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Saturday, March 13, 2004
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The crossroads of European industry and style
Dramatic changes have taken place in Italy since World War II, with the advent of industrialization in the country and the acceleration of its evolution from its beginnings as an impoverished agricultural economy. Today, Italy is a member of the European Union and belongs to the Group of Eight (G-8) industrialized nations. It is the fifth largest economy in the world, and nowhere in the country is this status more clearly perceptible than in its northern province.
In the mid to late 1950s, when a surge in production brought about increased exports and an economic boom, Northern Italy raced quickly ahead of the South. It has not looked back since. Today, the North continues to be the country’s chief industrial base, contributing significantly to Italy’s GDP through a huge diversity of companies producing an astonishing range of products – from chemicals and textiles to machinery, vehicles and aircraft.
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eBox
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Milan’s Rentxpress is a quick all-inclusive apartment rental business that offers fully-furnished, customized and serviced apartments with more space and privacy than a hotel room. Rentxpress can be reached by e-mail at [email protected], by phone at +39 02 430019057, or through its Web site at www.rentxpress.com |
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The Italian Embassy in Tokyo maintains its Web site in three languages: Italian, Japanese and English. It provides information on economic affairs, consular and visa issues, science and technology and essential facts about Italy. www.embitaly.jp |
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The official government tourist Web site for Italy is available in Japanese. This site covers tourist offices, basic facts, an information library, city information, an event guide, a virtual tour, related sites and web casting abilities. www.tabifan.com |
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The Milan Trade Fair, the premier trade fair complex in Northern Italy, will soon be the largest in the world. www.fieramilano.com
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 Located at the heart of Italy's commercial and financial center, Milan's stock exchange serves as the barometer of the country's economic activity. |
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In terms of per capita income, northern Italy’s inhabitants today are about 30 percent richer than their Southern counterparts. Unemployment in the north is at 5 percent, less than a quarter of the south’s 22 percent.
In the span of a few decades, the manufacturing and processing of goods in the north have become a pillar of the country’s economic strength, intensifying Italy’s reputation for precision in engineering, advanced systems and techniques in manufacturing,
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and most importantly, innovative and high-quality design. Textiles, machinery and other traditional sectors are increasingly harnessing information technology and e-commerce to improve their position in domestic and international markets. FULL STORY
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A bridge between Italy and Japan
WER met with Umberto Agnelli, the chairman of the Fiat Group. A distiguished and self-declared admirer of Japanese culture who has devoted much time to strengthening business and cultural relations between Italy and Japan, Agnelli took time off from his busy schedule at the helm of one of Italy’s largest and most emblematic companies to discuss some of the reasons for his love affair with Japan.
WER: You have been known over the past decades as a steadfast advocate for bilateral relations between Italy and Japan. What makes the cause of fostering this relationship continue to be a relevant one at the present time?
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 Umberto Agnelli, chairman of Fiat Group |
I have always been fascinated by Japan, its history, its ancient culture, and its art. And its admirable economic performance in the last 50 years. Since the early 1980s I have been endeavouring to understand it better -- to understand Japan and the Japanese better, and to create more bridges, more human relationships, and more economic links with Italy and Europe. This process has helped me to appreciate the country more, and to establish personal friendships and a number of professional relationships based on great respect. FULL STORY
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A combination of technology, function and design
The Milan offices of one of the world’s most important market leaders in consumer electronics is easy to spot – a steel and glass building that is appropriate to its location in the capital city of industry and design.
Is there life without Sony? Probably, but it would be different – perhaps duller and less imaginative. In fact products like the Sony Vaio notebook computer and the MP3 player and the digital camera have become so ubiquitous to some people they probably would not be able to imagine going without them. FULL STORY
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 Massimiliano Alesi, managing director of Sony Italia (left) and Claudio Borroni, president of Sony Europe |
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Italy
Population: 58 million (2002)
Population growth: 0.2% (average, 1998-2002)
Land area: 301,300 sq km
Currency: euro
Ave. exchange rate: $1=euro 0.79
GDP: $1,189bn (2002)
GDP growth: 1.8% (average, 1998-2002); 0.4% (2002)
GDP per head: $20,500 (2002)
Inflation: 2.2% (average, 1998-2002); 2.5% (2002)
Major exports (2002) (% of total):
Machinery and transport equipment (31.2), Textiles, clothing & leather (15.3), Chemicals (13.1), Electrical equipment (9.3)
Major imports (2002) (% of total):
Machinery and transport equipment (23.0), Electrical equipment (13.3), Chemicals (10.4), Energy minerals (9.4)
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Leading markets (2002) (% of total): Germany (13.7), France (12.2), US (9.7), Britain (6.9), EU (53.1)
Leading suppliers (2002) (% of total): Germany (17.8), France (11.3), Netherlands (6.2), Britain (5.0), EU (56.9)
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