Italian firms eyeing more alliances to boost economic ties

Italy will look to increase exports of goods that appeal to young millennial customers in China, the biggest drivers of consumption, as part of its efforts to boost e-commerce cooperation, officials said.

Carlo Ferro, president of the Italian Trade Agency under the ministry of economic development in Italy, said that Italian companies are actively seeking opportunities to gain a bigger market share in China, and are mulling options, such as sales of innovative products or services online, to attract young Chinese buyers.

"This is particularly so for businesses in wine, design, fashion, and furniture ... they are eager to get closer to Chinese consumers and create more modern and tech-savvy products to meet their diverse demands," Ferro said, adding that e-commerce is an effective way for the companies to achieve this goal.