ACIMIT is a private non-profit making body and its main purpose consists in promoting the Italian textile machinery sector and in supporting its activity, mainly abroad. Raffaella Carabelli, President of ACIMIT, spoke to the Editor of The Indian Textile Journal, just prior to Swiss teams departure for Shanghai to attend ITMA Asia.
Editor: What is the scope of Italian companies in Chinese market?
Raffaella Carabelli (RC): Italian textile machinery manufacturers are well positioned among the leading exporters to Chinese market. Indeed Italian machines represent about 10 per cent of the total imported machinery in China. The value of the Italian export to China reached Euro 327 million in 2013. ITMA Asia CITME show will be another occasion to strengthen our position in the Chinese market.
Editor: How do you view the market vis-a-vis Indian market for the future growth?
RC: India is our second largest foreign market behind China. In 2013, Italian companies exported machinery to India for an equivalent value of euro 108 million. We consider India a potential growing market for the Italian technology, not only for the traditional applications but also for the most innovative niches of textile sector.
Editor: How many companies are participating and a comparison with previous editions.
RC: About 110 companies will be exhibiting in Shanghai. Fifty seven of these are present in the National Sector Groups. The total surface occupied by Italian exhibitors is 4,750 sq m, with an increase of 2 per cent. Italy is, once more, one of the main countries exhibiting at ITMA Asia.
Editor: What is the highlight of your participation?
RC: ACIMIT is involved in promoting sustainable technologies project and the related certified Green Label. ACIMIT project testifies the commitment of Italian textile machinery manufacturers to provide advanced solutions that respond to sustainability criteria. During ITMA Asia CITME show, our aim will be to point out what the Italian companies are doing in order to enhance the sustainability.