The Italians are coming!

DESIGN: Fashion and retail figure high

Then: At the 16th session of the Indo-ltalian joint commission for economic cooperation in New Delhi in 2005, Indian minister for commerce & industry, Kamal Nath, expresses concern that bilateral trade still needs to reach the target of $5 billion by 2007.

Now: January 17, 2006, Nath and Dr Adolfo Urso, deputy minister for productive activities and foreign trade, Italy, unveil a task force report on cooperation in areas of fashion, design and lifestyle products.

Is the Indo-Italian trade picture changing for the better? Carlo Calenda, assistant to the President Confindustria, Italy, is confident: "The bilateral trade will help fetch nearly $10 million within three years."

Education: Dr Darlie O'Koshy of the National Institute of Design has inked a pact with Bocconi University, Italy, to launch a collaborative certificate programme to focus on managing fashion and design companies.

"The programme will target trained design and fashion professionals and prepare them for the retail revolution in India," he says. Adds Calenda, "This is an extension of our initiatives."

Fashion: Promises Calenda, "Italy will have a series of events wherein fashion designers, artisans and entrepreneurs will be invited to be part of various workshops."

Retail: Though Carlos is tightlipped about Italian companies entering the Indian market, he admits a premium tailoring-suit company from Italy will open shop in India.

"Retail," he says, "especially in the luxury segment will grow in 2006 and in partnerships with hi-end Indian companies, Italy will be definitely creating a buzz in the Indian market".