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Italy |
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| Membership in EU: | 1951 |
| Political system: | Republic |
| Capital city: | Rome |
| Total area: | 301 263 km² |
| Currency: | Euro (EUR) |
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Statistical Office
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Chamber of Commerce and Industry
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Entrepreneurship in the Country
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Entrepreneurs in Italy
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The country’s main economic activities are tourism, fashion, engineering, chemical and food industries and automobile production. Italy is ranked as the seventh largest economy in the world and it is a member of the Group of Eight (G8) – the group of the most industrialized states. Italy’s northern regions are per capita amongst the richest in Europe.
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Track-Trace Shipments
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International Trade Shows
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Business Directories
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Local Communities
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Business Communication
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Italians prefer to do business with people they know and trust.
A third party introduction will go a long way in providing an initial platform, from which to work.
Italians much prefer face-to-face contact, so it is important to spend time in Italy developing the relationship.
Your business colleagues will be eager to know something about you as a person, before conducting business with you.
Demeanour is important as Italians judge people on appearances and the first impression you make, will be a lasting one.
Italians are intuitive. Therefore make an effort to ensure, that your Italian colleagues like and trust you.
Networking can be an almost full-time occupation in Italy. Personal contacts allow people to get ahead.
Take the time to ask questions about your business colleagues family and personal interests, as this helps build the relationship.
Italians are extremely expressive communicators. They tend to be wordy, eloquent, emotional, and demonstrative, often using facial and hand gestures to prove their point.
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Business Meetings
Appointments are mandatory and should be made in writing (in Italian) 2 to 3 weeks in advance.
Reconfirm the meeting by telephone or fax (again in Italian).
Many companies are closed in August, and if they are open, many Italians take vacations at this time, so it is best not to try to schedule meetings then.
In the north, punctuality is viewed as a virtue and your business associates will most likely be on time.
The goal of the initial meeting is to develop a sense of respect and trust with your Italian business colleagues.
Have all your printed material available in both English and Italian.
Hire an interpreter, if you are not fluent in Italian.
It is common to be interrupted, while speaking or for several people to speak at once.
People often raise their voice to be heard over other speakers, not because they are angry.
Although written agendas are frequently provided, they may not be followed. They serve as a jumping off point for further discussions.
Decisions are not reached in meetings. Meetings are meant for a free flow of ideas and to let everyone have their say.
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Business Negotiation
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In the north, people are direct, see time as money, and get down to business after only a brief period of social talk.
In the south, people take a more leisurely approach to life and want to get to know the people with whom they do business.
Allow your Italian business colleagues to set the pace for your negotiations. Follow their lead as to when it is appropriate to move from social to business discussions.
Italians prefer to do business with high-ranking people.
Hierarchy is the cornerstone of Italian business. Italians respect power and age.
Negotiations are often protracted.
Never use high-pressure sales tactics.
Always adhere to your verbal agreements. Failing to follow through on a commitment will destroy a business relationship.
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President
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Government
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Prime Minister
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Ministries
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Constitutional Court
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Legislation
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Geographical Characteristics
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Italy is mainly mountainous, except for the Padan plain by the river Po in the land of Emilia–Romagna. It runs from the Alps to the central Mediterranean Sea, and it includes the islands of Sicily, Sardinia, Elba and about 70 other smaller islands. There are two small independent states within the Italian peninsula: The State of Vatican City in Rome and the Republic of San Marino.
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Languages
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Italian; also French, Standard German, Slovene.
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Short History
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Italian Peninsula was the centre of the colossal Roman Empire, which left a huge archaeological, cultural and literary heritage. Later it became the cradle of medieval humanism and the Renaissance which - with the works of Machiavelli, Dante, Leonardo Da Vinci and Galileo - helped to form the European political and philosophical thought and culture.
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Time Zone
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International Dialing Code
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Average Temperatures
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July 24 0C, January 8 0C.
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Opening Hours of Banks
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Monday – Thursday: 8.30am – 1.30pm and 3.00pm – 4.00pm.
Friday: 8.30am – 1.30pm and 2.45pm - 3.45pm.
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Opening Hours of Post-Offices
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Monday - Friday: 8.00am – 1.30/2.00pm.
Saturday: 8.00am – 11.45am.
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Opening Hours of Shops
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Legally permitted opening hours:
Monday -Sunday: 8.30am – 12.30pm and 3.30pm – 7.30pm.
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Credit Cards
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The following credit cards are accepted in Italy: Visa, MasterCard–EuroCard, CartaSì. They are accepted in numerous hotels, restaurants and shops. Almost all petrol stations will accept credit cards.
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Foreign Currency Exchange
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Apart from the banks, foreign currency can be also exchanged in exchange offices, hotel receptions, tourist agencies, petrol stations and larger department stores.
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Mobile Telecommunications
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The country is almost entirely covered by mobile telephony signal, since the operators have concluded contracts with larger European and world operators. Mobile phones in the country are designed to function within the network of frequency bands 900 MHZ and 1800 MHZ. You can host in the following mobile networks: TIM Estero, Vodafone, Wind.
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Anti Smoking Law
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Italy was one of the first countries passing the law that bans smoking in all public places, buildings, offices, bars, restaurants, coffee-houses, night-clubs and hotels. One of the most severe laws in Europe, which allows smoking only in specially designated areas with ventilating system, was passed in January 2005.
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Emergency Telephone Numbers
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Population of the State
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Population of the Capital
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Demographics
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Religion
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