Italian Trade Agency, ICE for the promotion and internationalization of Italian businesses abroad together with the Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers (ACIMIT), have once again planned an intense promotional campaign for the industry in 2014.

Promotional program for Italy’s textile machinery sector will be held in 16 countries, including China and India, as well as nations and markets which already present potential business opportunities for Italian machinery builders, such as Ethiopia, Mongolia and Uzbekistan.

According to figures provided by the economics department at ACIMIT, the development shows a 5% increase compared to the previous quarter. Orders for textile machinery increased during the fourth quarter of 2013. However, on the domestic side, orders dropped by 15%, due to a highly critical situation for the Italian market. The investments in the textile industry are at an absolute standstill in the internal market. While, exports rose by 7% over the previous quarter, and remain the main growth driver for Italian manufacturers.

Raffaella Carabelli, President of ACIMIT said that the machinery manufacturers are already exporting over 80% of their production. But they must be supported by promotional initiatives, at least as far as machinery is concerned as it has still don’t receive the recognition deserved.

The promotional efforts for 2014 will serve to help them find new business opportunities in growing markets.