Italy’s exports to Qatar stood at €1.3bn in 2019, registering a 27% year-on-year jump, making it Qatar's sixth main supplier and the third European main supplier, Italian ambassador Alessandro Prunas has said, citing official figures and Qatari Customs data.
"The year 2019 concluded positively with total trade volume of €2.6bn, with an increase of 2% compared to the previous year," Prunas told Gulf Times.
The main sectors involved are semi-finished products and machinery, furniture and building materials, fashion and accessories, means of transport, food and beverages, and chemical and pharmaceutical products, the ambassador said.
In terms of imports from Qatar, Prunas said, "Italy was the 10th main customer of Qatar in 2019 for approximately €1.3bn, mainly gas, and oil and gas-related products."
Speaking on measures placed by the Italian government following the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, Prunas said Italy is just starting to see the first results of the lockdown rules promptly adopted by the government.
"The curve of infections is now stabilising and the pressure on the health system is decreasing," he pointed out.
In addition to the measures implemented during the response phase of the emergency or 'Phase 1', Prunas said the Italian government has taken a series of extraordinary steps to support in a longer perspective the Italian manufacturing system in the so-called 'Phase 2'.
The ambassador explained that these measures include the injection of around €200bn into the economy and the treasury‘s shield for banks from losses on 90% of loans to companies of all sizes.
In addition, Cassa Depositi e Prestiti, Italy’s state lender, and Sace, its export agency, will provide further guarantees to companies until the end of this year for an additional €200bn, he further said.
"In line with these measures, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs since January 2020, primarily competent for foreign trade issues, together with other relevant Italian authorities, has defined a plan to strengthen the support to the 'Made in Italy' production, as well as to boost export activities through a wide range of new projects," Prunas said.
This will include improving strategic communication, e-commerce, digitalisation and new virtual fairs, and exhibitions available throughout the year, the ambassador added.
The main sectors involved are semi-finished products and machinery, furniture and building materials, fashion and accessories, means of transport, food and beverages, and chemical and pharmaceutical products, the ambassador said.
In terms of imports from Qatar, Prunas said, "Italy was the 10th main customer of Qatar in 2019 for approximately €1.3bn, mainly gas, and oil and gas-related products."
Speaking on measures placed by the Italian government following the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, Prunas said Italy is just starting to see the first results of the lockdown rules promptly adopted by the government.
"The curve of infections is now stabilising and the pressure on the health system is decreasing," he pointed out.
In addition to the measures implemented during the response phase of the emergency or 'Phase 1', Prunas said the Italian government has taken a series of extraordinary steps to support in a longer perspective the Italian manufacturing system in the so-called 'Phase 2'.
The ambassador explained that these measures include the injection of around €200bn into the economy and the treasury‘s shield for banks from losses on 90% of loans to companies of all sizes.
In addition, Cassa Depositi e Prestiti, Italy’s state lender, and Sace, its export agency, will provide further guarantees to companies until the end of this year for an additional €200bn, he further said.
"In line with these measures, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs since January 2020, primarily competent for foreign trade issues, together with other relevant Italian authorities, has defined a plan to strengthen the support to the 'Made in Italy' production, as well as to boost export activities through a wide range of new projects," Prunas said.
This will include improving strategic communication, e-commerce, digitalisation and new virtual fairs, and exhibitions available throughout the year, the ambassador added.
