February 28th - March 6th

Milan, Mar. 3rd (Adnkronos) - ‘’Everyone has to roll up their sleeves and work to better support and protect our productions, our Made in Italy”. This is the message by Productive Activities Undersecretary, Adolfo Urso, sent for the closing of the event Moda In held in Milan: Undersecretary Urso could not attend Moda In but he still wanted to close the conference so sent a letter to Max Dubini, the president of Moda In.

Verona, Mar. 3rd (Adnkronos) -Two-thirds of the exports of Italian food products are destined to the 25 member EU where Germany, France and Great Britain represent Italy’s most important export markets. This emerges from a Focus Agrifood analysis, presented at the International Quality Agro-Alimentary Product Salon, which opened today in Verona.

Verona, Mar. 3rd (Adnkronos) -Agrifood, the Made in Italy Agro-Alimentary Salon, opened today and will last until March 6th in Verona. The event is promoted by Veronafiere in collaboration with the Agriculture and Forestry Ministry, the Verona Chamber of Commerce and the Veneto Region. Participating in the Salon are expositors from farm enterprises, small and medium enterprises, industries and consortiums from all of the Italian regions with more than 600 enterprises presenting over 300 products accurately selected following the criteria of origin, quality and transparency of the production process, the organizers inform.

Milan, Mar. 3rd (Adnkronos) - Iasgro has obtained the three - year authorization to sell a fungicide in the United States. This was announced by the company underlining that through this authorization, the fungicide can now be used in soy farming to treat the serious fungus illness called “Asiatic Rust”. “This authorization - affirmed the president and MD of Isagro, Giorgio Basile - will allow our company to enter into a new and important market segment contributing to a further development of the Group”.

Milan, Mar. 3rd (Adnkronos) - Datalogic, a company listed in the TechStar segment of the Italian Stock Exchange, has reached an agreement with the USA company, Informatics, for the buy-out of 90% of its company capital. The buy-out price is $ 23 million equal to €18.2 million. The USA Company is active in the automatic identification sector. “The acquisition of Informatics - affirms Roberto Tunioli, the MD of Datalogic - allows us to speed up our expansion plan and to double our presence on the primary American market”.

Brussels, Mar. 2nd (Adnkronos) – The president of Confindustria, Luca Cordero di Montezemolo , does not agree with the proposal launched by the former Minister of Economy, Giulio Tremonti, relative to the introduction of import taxes against China. Asked his opinion on the topic by journalists at the end of a press conference in Brussels, Mr. Montezemolo responded with a dry “no”.

Rome, Mar. 2nd (Adnkronos) – Productive Activities Undersecretary with proxy to Foreign Trade, Adolfo Urso, agrees with the president of Confindustria, Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, who today asked for “definite regulations” on the topic of foreign trade due to the increase in imitation products, today in Brussels. Undersecretary Urso underlined “We need initial measures that have to be approved immediately, at the latest by June”.

Geneva, Mar. 2nd (Adnkronos) - ‘’It is a solid company with great potential” said the new MD of Iveco, Paolo Monferino, pressed by journalists at the Geneva Auto Show to talk about the company for which he has become the number one man recently. “It had some weaknesses in the past – Mr. Monferino explained – for example in the heavy lorry sector. Today I noticed we are gaining market quotas also in this sector. This means the product is good, it’s a success and the market it accepting it well”.

Naples, Mar. 2nd (Adnkronos) – The best of Made in Campania gold jewellery, fashion and handicrafts will be on exhibit in Hong Kong and Singapore from March 6th to the 12 for a trade mission organized by the Regional Productive Activities councillorship.

Milan, Mar. 2nd (Adnkronos) – Milan hand-made high fashion lands in Russia proposing the creativity and excellence of its realizations. A qualified delegation of quality dress makers and companies for fashion accessories of the Craftspeople Union of the Province of Milan landed in Saint Petersburg this morning for a three day presentation of their products to the public and high level meetings with those working in the sector. The three day mission will end with a fashion show including the prestigious collections.

Rome, Mar. 2nd (Adnkronos) - ‘’The Italians have a strong tie to the territory and almost 2 out of 3 products bought are from the territory even though this is not always evident on the labelling with the indication of the origin of the farm product used”. This emerges from an initial analysis carried out by “Focus Agrifood”, the daily online newspaper of the International Quality Agriculture Product Salon, opening in Verona on March 3rd.

Rome, Mar. 2nd (Adnkronos) – The marquis de’Frescobaldi have finalized an agreement for the 50% buy out of the Luce della Vite company, a Tuscany enterprise from Montalcino, owned by the Roberto Mondavi Corporation ( a Contellation Brands property). Through the agreement Frescobaldi ceded the same quota to Mondavi Investment Partner Llc, a company recently constituted by Michael Mondavi and his close family members (wife and children) for the realization of this transaction.

Rome, Mar. 2nd (Adnkronos) – The Enel bond placing is “going very well” said the president of the Energy Group, Piero Gnudi, during a pause of a conference on its financing project. The project that began on Monday February 28th foresees the placing of € 1 billion bonds on the retail market.

Milan, Mar. 2nd (Adnkronos) –The Arquati SpA net financial position is positive but down and at the end of January 2005 the lead company registered liquid assets equalling + € 2 million compared to + € 2.7 million in December 2004. Sales volumes were up in January and February equalling € 1.9 million with a 10% increase with respect to the same period in 2004.

Rome, Mar. 2nd (Adnkronos) - Marco Viezzoli is the new MD of Aethra, the company international leader in telecommunications and the first video communications company of the European Community.

Turin, Mar. 2nd (Adnkronos) - Magneti Marelli strengthens its position in Turkey. The components company of the Fiat Group underwrote an agreement for the buy-out of Mako Elektric Sanayi Ve Ticaret, a leader on the Turkish market in the auto illumination sector, with the Turkish Group Koc. Following the underwriting of the agreement, Magneti Marelli will pass from a 43% to a 95% control and the operating management will be given to Automotive Lighting (a Magneti subsidiary).

Rome, Mar. 1st (Adnkronos) - Valentino has undersigned a licensing agreement with the Spanish company Pronovias, the world leader in the sector, through which Pronovias will produce and distribute, in exclusive and on a world level, a collection of wedding gowns designed by Valentino in his Rome atelier. This collection will be presented in Barcelona on June 17th 2005 and will be sold in the Valentino boutiques, some Pronovias boutiques and the best boutiques of the sector starting in December 2005.

London, Mar. 1st (Adnkronos) - 2 million barrels of oil a day: this is the new production target forecast by Eni in its 2005-2008 Strategic Plan, presented today in the City by its MD, Vittorio Mincato, during the first leg of the Road Show that will travel to the most important European and USA financial areas. Daily production capacity to 2 million barrels a day with a 5% rate, among the highest in the sector, reached primarily through internal development, is one of the main points of the Plan.

Verona, Mar. 1st (Adnkronos) - Agrifood, the most complete and selected exposition of made in Italy agro-alimentary products, opens at Veronafiere on Thursday, March 3rd. The Agriculture and Forestry Minister, Gianni Alemanno will attend the inauguration. 600 enterprises presenting over 700 products chosen on the criteria of origin, quality, process transparency and strong ties to the territory will be on exposition at Agrifood.

Milan, Mar. 1st (Adnkronos) - The Banca Popolare of Milan is looking towards possible mergers but currently there are no open negotiations. This was affirmed by the vice-president of the Banking institute, Marco Vitale, following a conference on the consolidation of the banking system, underlining that “the remainder of the credit banking system has to join and merge even in single sectors such as asset management, merchant banking and services”.

Treviso, Mar. 1st (Adnkronos) - A historic result was achieved not only for an Italian enterprise but also for the entire Italian pasta production sector, the escalation of Pasta Zara ended up with reaching the maximum goal: according to the latest UNIPI (Italian Pasta Producers’ Association) figures, Pasta Zara SpA became the first Italian pasta exporter in 2004, surpassing Barilla which has always occupied the leadership position. This was announced in a press release by the enterprise from Treviso.

Geneva, Mar. 1st (Adnkronos) - Fiat earned more market quota in Italy in February conquering over 29% with respect to the 27.76% in January. According to industrial sources, Alfa Romeo has a market quota between 3.4-3.6%; Lancia between 5-5.1% and Fiat between 20.5-20.7%.

Montepulciano (Siena), Mar. 1st (Adnkronos) - Again this year the Nobile Wine Consortium of Montepulciano will be present at the Düsseldorf Pro Wein, an important wine show for the German market. The event is scheduled from Sunday, March 6th to Tuesday, March 8th at its traditional site at the Düsseldorf Expo Centre. The Consortium will be present at a stand set up in the area of the Tuscany Region, where other 11 Montepulciano wine enterprises will also be directly represented.

Milan, Mar. 1st (Adnkronos) -The San Paolo Imi Group, following its missed merger attempt with Dexia, is now researching other merger projects. “We tried to merge - affirmed the president of San Paolo Imi, Enrico Salza - and we won’t give up. We are beginning to research other projects even though this is not an easy task”.

Geneva, Mar. 1st (Adnkronos) - The final shut down of the Alfa Romeo plants in Arese could have new developments. The president of Fiat, Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, pressed by journalists at the Geneva Auto Show, explained that “the decision to close this plan was taken a long time ago, before Mr. Marchionne and I arrived in Fiat. However, the R D centre will remain in Arese and our hope is that there can be a new contract between Arese and Alfa Romeo. There is still hope that something can come about”.

Padua, Mar. 1st (Adnkronos) - Which is the best testimonial of Made in Italy in the world? For once it isn’t Armani or Schumacher’s Ferrari. Unindustria Padua and the non-profit Veneto People in the World Association have an ace up their sleeves: the banner of Italian industry will be carried high and new routes across the ocean will be opened by the Veneto -origin entrepreneurs in the world. This is the objective behind the project “Culture and Enterprise between Young Veneto Entrepreneurs in the World”, promoted by The Young Entrepreneurs of Unidustria Padua Group and Association and financed by the Veneto Region, with the sponsorship of the Padua Chamber of Commerce.

Rome, Mar. 1st (Adnkronos) -Following its divorce from GM, Fiat wants to “unwrap its brands”. The president of Fiat, Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, explains the mission of the Turin Automotive Group following its break with GM. “Following the GM issue, its now time to unwrap our brands - says Mr. Montezemolo - precisely identifying the role of every brand of the Group. Ferrari will be in one niche, the one of extreme sports cars. Instead Maserati will have to compete with Porche and the great sedans such as Mercedes, BMW and Audi. Alfa Romeo will have to compete in the sports car sector which includes BMW. Lancia will continue to produce a certain type of car and then there will be Fiat”.

Bari, Feb. 28th (Adnkronos) - Production of the DOP (Protected Origin Denomination) Attamura Bread began today. DOP is the recognition of the quality of the product and a warranty for consumers given by the EU. The bread from this city in the Apulia region is the first bakery product to earn the DOP quality seal in Europe. The first Altamura breads with this seal was today on the Apulia, Lazio and Northern Italy markets, the prime markets for this product from the city of Bari.

Lamezia Terme, Feb. 28th (Adnkronos) - Vibo Valentia will host the 2006/2007 International Partnership Network (IPN) Congress. The seat of the Association is in Boston and Vibo Valentia was chosen following a proposal by the Calabria International Group of Toronto (Canada) and made official this morning at the ANAP Office of Briatico during a meeting between the Province and members of the IPN top managers, who have important positions in the various countries of the world. The operation was coordinated by Domenico Frasca’, originally from Sant’Onofrio, president of the Calabria International Group of Toronto.

Modena, Feb. 28th (Adnkronos) - Modena has presented its candidacy for the organic farming capital of the world in 2008, offering Italy the opportunity to host the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) Congress for the first time ever.

Rome, Feb. 28th (Adnkronos) - In 2004, the Ferrari-Maserati sector of Fiat Auto registered a 20% increase in profits to € 1.5 billion with respect to the previous year. This was revealed by a press release diffused by the Fiat Group at the conclusion of the Board of Directors meeting. Increased Maserati sales, on the rise due to the success of the new Four Door Sedan and the increase in Ferrari sales, which in the 2004 Q4 began marketing its new F430, the heir to the 360 Modena, contributed to the higher sales volumes.

Rome, Feb. 28th (Adnkronos) - ‘’The President of the Republic, Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, who is carrying out an important role in promoting the Italian System abroad, is 100% right and on the same wavelength with what the government has been doing since the beginning of its term”, Productive Activities Undersecretary with proxy to Foreign Trade, Adolfo Urso, comments the words expressed by the President of the Republic regarding the Italian System and its export markets.

Rome, Feb. 28th (Adnkronos) -The Fiat Group’s gross indebtedness is down about € 3.4 billion according to the 2004 Q4 consolidated results and preliminary final balance figures approved by the Fiat Board of Directors.

Milan, Feb. 28th (Adnkronos) - The Board of Directors of Fiera Milano has deliberated the merger of its subsidiary (1005) Fiera Milano Exhibitions Spa, which controls 53% of the company capital of the exhibition organization company, Fiera Milano International SpA. The preliminary stages of the merger, the company explains, foresee that Fiera Milano, which already controls 50% + 1 share of Exhibitions, buy out the remaining shares from the majority shareholder, Fiera Milano Foundation through a call option on the quota expressed in the agreement.

Los Angeles, Feb. 28th (Adnkronos) - The first gold statue of the 2004 Oscar Awards Ceremony went to two Italians, Dante Ferretti and Francesca Lo Schiavo. The duo won the Oscar for best Art Direction for the film The Aviator. Halle Berry gave the Oscar to them. This is Dante Ferretti’s 8th nomination (one for costumes) and the 6th for Ms Lo Schiavo. The two dedicated their awards to Martin Scorsese.