There is growing interest of Chinese investors for the Italian market, industry experts said. “We have been supporting our clients for the last 30 years, by following them all along the path to reach the vast Asian market,” Zhu Zhenmin, CEO of Genertec Italia, told Xinhua in an interview on the sidelines of the China Awards, an annual ceremony held here in Milan earlier this week to praise the companies and personalities that have contributed to enhance Sino-Italian relations, reports Xinhua. However, Zhu went on saying, Genertec Italia recently has been particularly focusing on the increasing number of Chinese investors in Italy. Zhu noted the Milan-based company, which is part of the China General Technology (Group) Holding (Genertec) and boasts personnel from both countries, has experienced all phases of the bilateral commercial relations, and has observed a growing trend of alliances between Chinese and Italian companies also for their success in third countries. Maylink is a Chinese group which operates globally in different industries, including public relations, event organization, travel services and e-commerce. The Chinese company was awarded at the China Awards for its role in facilitating many exchange activities during the Milan world exposition. President of Maylink Li Yongping told Xinhua that the presence of Maylink in Europe and Italy will not stop with the end of the Expo in October this year, which was just a new start for more opportunities. In his view, localization, or the assimilation of local culture and habits, is a fundamental element for Chinese companies to achieve success abroad. World Capital, a Milan-based company specialized in real estate consultancy and investment, also has deep relations with China. “Our business after four years in China is going well,” Marco Clerici, managing director at World Capital, told Xinhua. “Chinese investors are interested in the Italian market, where we both operate in the B2C and B2B market,” he added. Following the economic crisis, there has been growing interest from abroad to invest in Italy in the real estate sector, he noted. “This means that for global analysts, prices have reached the lowest point and from now onwards they are expected to raise,” Clerici noted. Clerici underlined that the Chinese investors have seized the opportunity. “They are especially investing in the hospitality sector, where they see great potential for development,” he told Xinhua, noting that China’s big groups have acquired various prestigious palaces in Italy. “The coming years will be important ones. Therefore we have a strong presence in China, with both Italian and local human resources, we are betting on China,” he said.
