Italian firms resume China operations, inspiring confidence amid pandemic

Italian companies in China are getting their businesses back on track as the coronavirus outbreak has been subdued, which, in businessmen's eyes, injects confidence into the European country's fight against the pandemic.

"Although the automotive business in China is still in low demand, we predict it will come back to normal in June," said Federico Bonotto, president of FAIST China, an Italian company focusing on auto parts production.

FAIST China has two plants in Suzhou in east China's Jiangsu Province, which resumed production in February after the extended Spring Festival holiday due to the novel coronavirus outbreak.

"Now all of our 1,000 employees in Suzhou have returned to work," said Bonotto, adding that the city government has adopted a slew of supportive measures including reducing utility fees and providing financial subsidies to help them resume production.

"The Chinese government has done an excellent job to control the outbreak," he said. "I'm sure after this hard period, we will have more positive opportunities and achieve rapid business growth in the Chinese market."

Meanwhile, Italian firm Omet (Suzhou) Mechanical Technology Co. has also reopened recently to manufacture elevator components and label printing machines.

Fabio Valle, general manager of the company, said they are working in full swing to offset the impact of the outbreak. "Local government promptly shared valuable information to help us resume work, and even allowed a delay in taxes payment and rental reduction."

"China's successful measures to contain the pandemic give confidence to Italian people to overcome the difficulties," said Valle. The company has been operating in Suzhou for 11 years.

The latest figures show the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Italy has exceeded 100,000 as of Monday.

According to Bonotto, many Italian companies and institutions in China are supporting the European country by sending anti-epidemic materials to combat the epidemic.

"I've already sent a large number of materials to Italy and offered experiences I learned in China in the past two months to help people there fight the pandemic," Bonotto said.

China's support and aid to Italy, which included dispatching medical teams and donating anti-epidemic supplies, have been highly praised by Italians in China.

"It is a noble act, and I believe the relationship between the two countries will be stronger from now on," Valle said, stressing that Italy will weather the outbreak and pull through as soon as possible.