Govt working on plan to relaunch Italian exports

Italian exports are crucial to restarting the country's coronavirus-ravaged economy and the government is forging a blueprint to boost high-quality Italian products worldwide, foreign minister Luigi Di Maio stated on Tuesday.

"After discussions with representatives from business and industry, we are drafting the details of the plan that will aim to relaunch the image of our country in the world," Di Maio wrote on Facebook.

"Re-launching the Italy brand is crucial - we must do so with the awareness that buying Made in Italy abroad means buying quality. Our reputation for excellence will allow us to restart our economy," he added.

Italian companies have reacted to the Covid-19 crisis with impressive courage, Di Maio wrote.

"This virus tried to bring us to our knees, but Italy is proving that it is strong," he underlined.

But the government must be ready to support companies by offering them all useful and necessary tools to get back on their feet, Di Maio went on. "It is what we are doing," he added.

"Courage is needed, a lot of courage. But Italians do not lack this."