Italy's textile machinery production dropped marginally, by one per cent in 2014, compared to 2013. After falling the two previous years, exports in 2014 touched the same value as in 2013, with exports destined to Asia and Europe making up for 81 per cent of overseas shipments.

However, as exports to European markets grew in 2014 compared to previous year, they actually fell in Asia. Exports to China, which is one of the main export markets of Italian machinery, fell by 25 per cent in 2014 as against the previous year, a result of less than expected robust economic growth.

On the other hand, exports to India, Bangladesh and Vietnam were on the rise, and Italian textile machinery manufacturers also did well in Turkey, the US and Iran. During the current year, industry stands to benefit from macro economic factors that are making forecasts lean towards cautious optimism. Within Italy, the textile machinery industry is one of its most important sectors. Its textile technologies are considered of a very high qualitative level.

ITMA, to be held in November 2015, the industry’s most important trade fair, provides an opportunity to showcase Italian technology and stimulate new investments from the textile sector in Italy and Europe.