Florence

Florence and its province, centre of international tourism, is where the excellence of the "Made in Italy" production which is exported the world over is concentrated. With a per capita GDP of €25,400 and per capita consumption of €16,000, Florence ranks first amongst provinces in Central Italy and eighth at national level. The industrial sector is particularly buoyant thanks to its export which, on average, amount to 6 billion euros every year. Therefore, the surplus of the trade balance is 11.4%.

Luxury leather goods and clothes, manufacturing, mechanics and pharmaceuticals are the strongest areas in the industrial sector of Florence, which is the third Italian industrial centre and the eighth province in terms of number of companies.

The Province of Florence ranks third at national level in terms of international training thanks to more than thirty foreign universities amongst which the European University Institute, which is the best post-graduate training centre in Europe.

Industry is the real engine of the provincial economy accounting for 27% as opposed to 7.5% for tourism. There is a high concentration of dynamic and flexible small and medium sized enterprises (more than 105,000) which are integrated with larger companies. They are the cornerstone of the local economy. Commerce and industry account for approximately 50% of all the businesses in the province, chemicals and conversion of plastics account for 13.2% of the added value of the province whereas mechanics accounts for 22.7%.

In the province of Florence there are many location opportunities for foreign investors and businessmen. There are also important technological and scientific parks, most notably the Scientific Centre of Sesto Fiorentino with its Incubator for start ups.

For further information on location and investment opportunities in the Florence area, visit: http://www.firenzebusiness.it
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