ROME -- Italian Vice Economic Development Minister Carlo Calenda on Tuesday said China's recent decision to reduce tariffs on a number of imported consumer goods was positive for bilateral trade relations.
Tariffs will be reduced on June 1 on a number of imported consumer goods, including shoes and boots, cosmetics and disposable paper diapers, China's Ministry of Finance announced earlier this week.
"The expansion of Chinese domestic demand is in constant growth... the tariff reduction will boost imports in favor of China's new middle class," Calenda said in a statement.
In his view, the measure will meet "the new and diverse needs of Chinese consumers, who have a desire for the typical products of Italian fashion and footwear."
Calenda stressed that the Italian government is willing to help boost the sale of made-in-Italy products in the Chinese market.
He defined the tariffs reduction as a "really favorable measure" for Italy's trade exchange with China.
Regarding exports to the Chinese market, Calenda said, the Italian government has recently allocated as many as 15 million euros (16.3 million U.S. dollars) to be used in new activities for promotion of the made-in-Italy.
