by Guo Wendi
ROME, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- As "Made in Italy" gains increasing popularity in China, high-quality Italian products will further open up the Chinese consumer market, according to senior executives of two Italian companies.
The products of Russo Cammei, an Italian jewelry maker, have been present on the Chinese market since 2018. "(Chinese) consumers greatly appreciate our products, both traditional and more modern ones," Marco Russo, the company's chief executive officer (CEO) told Xinhua in a recent interview.
The Russo family has been working with corals and cameos since 1896. He said that it is undeniable that the dynamism of the Chinese market and its constant technological evolution are factors of great fascination for Russo Cammei, and in recent years, the share of sales in China as a percentage of the company's total revenue has increased.
Gruppo Italiano Vini (GIV), one of the most important entities in Italy's wine industry, also attaches great importance to the Chinese market.
The group consists of 14 wineries located in Italy's most significant wine regions. Of the group's products, those marketed under the Bolla brand are the most sought after in China, according to Paolo Oliviero, GIV's export manager.
Oliviero said that exports to China represent a significant share of GIV's business. "Considering the success of the Bolla brand, we are seeking to expand the presence of other brands that we believe are particularly suitable for the Chinese market," he said.
In the past five years, the volume of bilateral trade between China and Italy soared from 50 billion U.S. dollars to nearly 80 billion dollars, while Italy's exports to China jumped about 30 percent, official data showed.
Russo believes that "Made in Italy" is always well-received by Chinese consumers and appreciated in its entirety: from fashion to food, from wine to innovation.
Commenting on the evolution of the Chinese market, Oliviero told Xinhua that the country's consumers have developed a precocious flair for wine and this is an advantage for companies like GIV that consider quality an essential part of their philosophy.
Leveraging platforms such as the China International Import Expo (CIIE) and the China International Consumer Products Expo, high-quality Italian products have entered countless Chinese households. The companies of Russo and Oliviero have also benefited from these events.
Oliviero said that trade exhibitions serve as an initial point of contact to showcase the products.
Russo also believes that it was at these events that his company had the opportunity to introduce itself to consumers and industry professionals and make them appreciate its creations and art.
According to the CEO of Russo Cammei, at this year's CIIE, his company will strengthen its offering by introducing the masterpieces of the major masters of cameo engraving art, among others.
"Chinese consumers appreciate the excellence of 'Made in Italy', and we are confident that in the near future the presence of GIV and, more generally, of Italian wines will continue to grow, especially for companies that prioritize quality as their flagship," Oliviero said.
(Huang Anqi in Shanghai also contributed to this article)
