As someone who has lived in Italy for well over a decade, and who knows just what Italy has to offer, it is amazing to discover that this nutty country imports more than it exports!
Actually, knowing how dysfunctional Italy is, it’s not really a huge surprise.
Here are Italy’s import/export figures for 2010:
- Value of Italy’s Exports $458.4 billion (2010 est.)
- Value of Italy’s Imports $459.7 billion (2010 est.)
Admittedly the difference is not great, but it should be much greater – in favor of Italian exports. Italy should be exporting at least three times as much as it imports, if not more.
It is nothing short of criminal that imports exceed exports in Italy.
Via Twitter I was chatting to an Indian today who finds Italian business sense very difficult to fathom out. He thinks Italy needs to change its mindset. I agree. It seems that Italian businesses expect foreign businesses to adapt to their weird little ways or else the Italian businesses won’t do business.

Stop reading, start speaking
Stop translating in your head and start speaking Italian for real with the only audio course that prompt you to speak.
From the export figures above, it looks as if Italy’s businesses are not doing business – to the detriment of Italy and to their wallets. Talk about shooting yourself in the foot. Time to change that mindset!
Heck, Italy should be the number one economy in Europe. The trouble is the Boot is far too stupid to realize this.
Would you believe its cheaper for Italy’s florists to import roses from Holland? It’s true! Dutch roses cost half as much!
To cap it all, Italy’s medieval unions are blocking much needed labor reforms. When will Italy wake up? Never, probably.
What the Boot needs is a boot up its backside.
What the difference between “inane” and “insane” – not much – one single letter.