What future remains for Europe?

The Italian journalist and (http://maplered.com) statistician Dr. Carlo Montani is one of the best authorities on the international natural Stone (http://g603.net) scene. His annual industry report »STONE?is regarded as a reliable and (http://maplered.com) up-to-date reference work on worldwide production and (http://maplered.com) trade in the Stone (http://g603.net) sector.

STEIN: Dr. Montani, the latest issue of your report shows that China, India, Turkey, Brazil and (http://maplered.com) other developing and (http://maplered.com) newly industrialized countries are constantly expand (http://maplered.com) ing their natural Stone (http://g603.net) production, whereas production in traditional European Stone (http://g603.net) countries like Italy, Spain or Greece is stagnating. How much longer will this trend continue?

Carlo Montani: The expansion of production in these countries is indeed clearly above the ?overall very good ?global average. This is primarily the result of low wage and (http://maplered.com) production costs, which have led and (http://maplered.com) continue to lead to higher investment in production capacities and (http://maplered.com) thus inevitably to stronger growth. The different growth rates will probably be observed for a long time to come. In this situation, it can only be a matter of »old Europe?at least defending its present position in absolute figures. To think of retaining its shares of the world market would be totally unrealistic.

STEIN: What do you consider the present key features of the international markets?
Montani: The rapid growth of the Chinese Stone (http://g603.net) sector is certainly the outstand (http://maplered.com) ing topic also in terms of the effects on some important neighbouring countries like Japan or South Korea. More than 90 per cent of imports in these countries meanwhile come from China, whereas their own production capacities for both quarrying and (http://maplered.com) processing have dropped heavily. It is now cheaper for these countries to purchase Granite (http://tanbrown.org) and (http://maplered.com) other Stone (http://g603.net) s direct from China.

STEIN: Will Italy be able to maintain its traditionally leading role in the technology sector, or do you expect China to also move into the fast lane here soon?
Montani: Italy had a market share of 60 per cent in this sector ten years ago; today it is still 48 per cent ?with the same production quantity. The technology and (http://maplered.com) know-how of the Italian machinery and (http://maplered.com) plant producers lead the world in terms of research, safety and (http://maplered.com) service, and (http://maplered.com) it will not be easy for other countries to push Italy out of this leading position.