Cirillo Marcolin: innovators should be supported

Interviewed by Il Sole 24 Ore Nord-Est Cirillo Marcolin, president of Anfao and Mido, spoke again about the situation in a sector which must focus as much as possible on markets and investments at this difficult time.

'The problem is a general one, even though it involves large and small businesses to different extents', Marcolin said. 'It's not up to us to make the fundamental choices, but rather to implement backup interventions and map out the guidelines that companies can then follow'.

'In a month', the president pointed out , 'we will be at one of the fairs in the sector,Silmo in Paris, but it will be preceded by a fashion show dedicated to Italian products, which has been set up thanks to important support from Italian institutions. It will be the occasion for everyone to be seen and make contact with the market. We are also carrying out a large number of initiatives in support of Made in Italy eyewear in collaboration with the Ministry for Production Activities. Basically, we are trying to create premises for development rather than giving in to the temptation to request financial aid interventions'.

Referring to the problem of competitiveness, Marcolin added: 'Those who can, they transfer quantitatively significant production, but research, design, innovation and concept remain here with us. And the Smes must aim for this because they obviously have problems with decentralizing. Any government support must look in this direction, helping innovators or defending the know-how of those who decide in any case that it's better to restructure their businesses'.

On the problem of counterfeiting, Marcolin reiterated the association's commitment: 'We began a fight to the death some time ago against this phenomenon and we have asked the State to be behind us by intensifying controls. I have recently sued for damages in a legal proceedings regarding the impounding of counterfeit glasses and I am hoping for an exemplary sentence'.

Lastly, the president returned to the subject of Chinese competition: 'The customs duties that someone would like could boomerang on our companies which are often global. The road to take is for regulations that are the same for everyone, to be respected and their respect enforced in the interests of fairness'.