Italy's Milan eyes enhanced trade ties with China

Trade exchange between Italy's Lombardy region and China has posted positive figures, the Milan Chamber of Commerce said on Tuesday, expecting to further improve during the upcoming world exposition in the city.

Lombardy, with Milan as its capital, and China registered a trade exchange worth more than 10 billion euros (over 11 billion U.S. dollars) in the first three quarters of 2014, according to a statement from the chamber.

In the January-October period, exports from Lombardy to China increased by 7 percent totaling 2.4 billion euros (about 2.69 billion dollars), of which nearly half in Milan.

Machinery, clothing, chemicals, drugs, steel pipes, watches, furniture and rolling stock were among the main products exported to China.

Imports from China increased by 5 percent in the same period and especially targeted computer and telecommunication equipments, clothing, chemicals, machinery, iron and steel, engines, metals and plastics.

Last year, more than 400 companies based in Lombardy were involved in initiatives aimed at exploring the Chinese market, the statement said. Cosmetic, gold, machinery and building materials were the main sectors.

Luigi Molinari, Council Member of the Milan Chamber of Commerce, said the Expo Milano 2015, which will run from May 1 to Oct. 31, will be a key occasion to further strengthen bilateral relations.

The Milan Chamber of Commerce has a representative office in Shanghai launched more than 10 years ago. "The vicinity of Milan and Shanghai both linked to the world exposition can be the way to enhance ties and help build concrete occasions for the development of exchanges," Molinari said.