Nov. 15 – As with so many other areas, the Italian engineering industry exports represent a safe harbor in the stormy seas of the global economic crisis. In the last five years, mechanical exports towards BRIC countries grew by 18.4%, for a total value of €1.3 billion in the first 6 months of 2013. Mechanical exports towards MIKT (Mexico, Indonesia, Korea and Turkey), or the new emerging markets, grew by 135% for a total value of €822 million in the first half of the year. The data provided by Anima, the Federation of National Associations for the Mechanical Industry, shows that Australia too has increased its Italian mechanical imports in the last two years, registering a remarkable growth of 186%. “On the Chinese market we are back to pre-crisis levels – says Sandro Bonomi, President of Anima – mechanical exports are quickly rising in Russia, Australia, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, greatly exceeding pre-crisis levels.” And these countries are exactly where the greatest potential is. Together, in the first six months of 2013, they bought more than €2.1 billion of Italian mechanical products, for an increase of 53% since 2009. “These markets give our revenues a positive sign, offsetting some of the decline in the domestic market – continues Bonomi – We also look markets far away from us, such as Australia, where they appreciate our technologies, recognizing our quality and excellence. For February 2014 we organized a mission in Perth on occasion of the trade fair for Oil & Gas.” Bonomi explains that “we are very competitive abroad, but suffer a lot in our country. The weakness of our domestic market is impoverishing the manufacturing sector. We depend on our exports to grow at home.”
