JEDDAH: Italy's trade and joint ventures continue to grow and so are its designer stores.
"Italy had a dynamic growth in terms of exports to the Kingdom, marking an increase of 22.56 percent during 2006-08 compared to 2004-07," its acting Consul General Giovanni Nocera said on Tuesday night. "In the same token, Italian designer products are increasingly entering the Kingdom, a trend that is indicated by the opening of new fashion outlets," he said while opening the first showroom of designer Cesare Paciotti at Khayat Center on Tahlia Street. The city also lately witnessed the opening of Zoppini brands of stainless steel jewelry and Gucci.
A number of Italian brands are now available across the Kingdom, as Saudis have shown a preference for "Made in Italy' products because of their attractive designs, quality and cost-effective pricing, Renato Catania, head of the commercial section at the Consulate General of Italy, said. Even joint ventures are steadily increasing, he said pointing at a venture between Italcenti and Arabia Cement Co. for producing concrete for the booming construction sector. The plant opened on March 14 in Rabigh, north of Jeddah. "There are plans to expand the plant and consider new ones to meet the growing needs of Makkah, Madinah and Taif, aside from Jeddah, as well as the five new economic cities that have been planned. Another $213 million joint venture has been formed for a steel plant between Danile and Al Rajhi Steel in August. On Nov. 14, the Iron Steel Co., a subsidiary of Saudi Basic Industries Corporation, and an Italian company formed a joint venture for a steel plant to be set up in Jubail in 2010.
"Beautiful cars and clothes are what the Italians are known for. Nowhere is this more obvious than with Cesare Paciotti, a family business whose fair for style and dedication to detail embodies the spirit of Italian style and quality," Mohammad bin Haif said on behalf of the local owners.
Mauro Zoppini of Zoppini Brands said that its four brands had been created on the basis of a constant research and study conducted among retailers and shoppers. About the Zoppini store concept, George Youniss, executive manager of '4 Accessories Ltd.', said the brand had become an "instant hit" because of its style and quality particularly among the jewelry shoppers.
© Arab News 2009
