The evolving business relations between Italy and Zhejiang province

Abstract

The purpose of this dissertation is to provide an analysis of the evolving business relations between Italy and Zhejiang province. The first group of Zhejiangnese migrants reached Italy in 1918 and this lead to a ripple effect that encouraged an intensification of immigration waves from Zhejiang province to Italy. Such migration flows have created permanent international links through different economic channels between our country and Zhejiang province. In chapter 1, after a brief introduction to the Province itself, I analyze Zhejiang’s economic development by also illustrating its resources. The last part of the chapter deals with the Province’s foreign trade. I disclose some data concerning import and export activities along with some information regarding FDI in Zhejiang and the Province’s preferential policies. Chapter 2 provides a background of migrations from Zhejiang province to Italy. I explain both the first Chinese immigration wave towards Italy that took place between the ‘20s and ‘30s and the second one, from the ‘50s to the ‘70s. I then focus on the spread of the Zhejiangnese in Italy, who put into practice their entrepreneurial spirit by starting up family-run businesses following the so-called “Wenzhou Model”, also discussed in this chapter. The third part of this chapter is based on the development of the Chinese community in Prato. Following a brief introduction regarding migrations from Wenzhou to Prato and the twinning between the two cities, I then concentrate on Chinese ready-to-wear fashion as well as on the transnational expansion of Chinese firms in Prato. Chapter 3 is the core of this thesis as it deals with the commercial relations between Italy and Zhejiang province and focuses on the latter’s investments from and to Italy and on its exports towards Italy. In conclusion, the last part of this chapter concerns made in Italy in Zhejiang province.