Thursday 21 June 2012 17:43
MILAN, June 21 (Reuters) - Italy's industrial districts saw a sharp slowdown on average in the first quarter, with exports growing by only 1.4% on average. But the picture is very heterogeneous and, if some districts have shown a decline, others instead have moved in a decidedly positive way.
This was stated by the 38th District Monitor edited by the Intesa Sanpaolo Studies and Research Service relating to 143 industrial districts which sees a continuation of the slowdown also in the second quarter.
There are 56 districts in negative territory, recovering from a negative peak reached in the second quarter of 2009, when they were 133. The fourth quarter of 2010 was the best period with only 14 districts in negative territory.
Going into detail, there are negative signs in two key district sectors: consumer goods of the fashion system and mechanics, which recorded -0.2% and -1% respectively.
On the other hand, they are the 20 technological poles that have achieved a growth in exports of 10.9%, highlighted the pharmaceutical poles (+21.3%), aeronautics (+12.4%) and biomedical (+11.8%).
Significant progress can also be seen in many individual sectors of mechanics and the fashion system, which also on average show a decline. Among these, the metalworking industry of Lower Mantua stands out, the instrumental mechanics of Varese, the food machinery of Parma, the mopeds of Bologna, the leather goods and footwear of Florence, the footwear of Fermo, the clothing of Rimini, the leather goods and footwear of Arezzo, the leather goods of Tolentino and the clothing of Naples.
Furthermore, three of the most important districts of the home system remained in positive territory, such as tiles from Sassuolo, wood and furniture from Brianza and furniture from Livenza and Quartier del Piave.
As for the countries to which the products were exported, the greatest advantage, +6.5%, was seen for the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China/Hong Kong), with Brazil and Russia driving .
