Rohani and Cook in Italia – A “warm welcome” that has brought about “multi-billion” deals, is how the international press has summarized the outcome of Iranian President Rouhani’s trip to Italy, Rome being his first stop on his European tour and on January 25 and 26 the headlines in BloombergBusiness and the Financial Times read respectively – Iran President Rouhani Visits Italy and Rouhani accorded generous welcome in Rome* whilst on January 27, Les Echos highlighted the long friendship between the two countries – Rohani à Rome: l’Iran et l’Italie, une vieille histoire d’amitié.
Most papers focused on the economic implications of the agreements Iran hopes to make with EU countries following the recent finalization of an historic nuclear pact. On January 22, the Wall Street Journal wrote – Iran Opening Stirs New Interest From Businesses* and several more articles appeared on January 25 including a couple that described a scenario in which Italy finalizes orders worth 17 billion Euros with BloombergBusiness saying – Italy Seeks Headstart in Iran With Multi-Billion Dollar Deals and Reuters, in one of various pieces published that day wrote – Italy to sign commercial accords with Iran worth 15-17 bln euros -govt source), and in another detailed the opportunities that had opened up for groups such as Saipem – Italy’s Saipem signs Iran deal as rights issue kicks off . A third featured Condotte d’Acqua – Italy’s Condotte d’Acqua will sign accords with Iran for up to 4 billion euros: company and yet another Danieli – Italy’s Danieli to sign $4 billion in agreements with Iran: government source. Finally, on January, 26 an article in Le Monde described the visit as one in which the Iranian leader would be renewing political and economic ties with both Italy and France – Hassan Rohani en Italie et en France pour renouer les liens politiques et économiques.
Several articles also featured another important visit to Italy, namely the one made by Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, who announced that the company is going to establish the first European centre ever to develop apps for iOs systems in Naples. On January 21, BloombergBusiness wrote Apple to Open App Development Training Center in Italy with Reuters, on the same day saying, Apple to open app development centre in southern Italy and El Mundo – Apple anuncia la creación de un Centro de Desarrollo de ‘apps’ de iOS en Italia. A further two articles on the same subject appeared the next day in Les Echos – Apple ouvre un centre de développement d’applis en Europe* and in the New York Times – Apple to Open Apps Center in Naples; CEO Cook Meets Renzi*.
Tourism – As always, there were various articles of interest to visitors to Italy, with Tuscany featuring in at least a couple, the Wall Street Journal writing on January 21 about a little known aspect of Florence – Oltrarno: Florence’s Best Kept Secret* and The Times, on January 23, about some of villages and landscapes waiting to be discovered in the Maremma district – The hilltop towns and secret sands of undiscovered Tuscany*. The mountains, with advice for skiers heading for Alta Badia in the Dolomites featured in The Times on January 22 – Bravo to wine and skiing in Italy*) whilst on January 24 the Washington Post focused on the Venice Carnival – Venice Carnival celebrations open amid tighter security.
Lifestyle, food and wine featured in the International papers this week with the Sueddeutsche Zeitung printing, on January 23, its interview with the King of Cashmere, Brunello Cucinelli – Niemand wirft einen Kaschmirpullover in die Ecke. The previous day, Spain’s El Mundo chose to write about the new interiors for Maserati designed by Zegna – Maserati Quattroporte y Ghibli: seda italiana por Ermenegildo Zegna. Meanwhile, on January 22, Reuters described the strategies being adopted by leading coffee company, Illy – Illycaffe to steer clear of coffee industry M&A scramble, and on the same day, the Wall Street Journal published the first of two recipes by Italian chef Massimo Bottura – Massimo Bottura’s Recipe for Fusilli With Breadcrumb Pesto*, the second appearing on January 26 – Massimo Bottura’s Recipe for a Reconsidered Caesar Salad*. Finally, on January 28, the Sueddeutsche Zeitung enjoyed some bubbles, describing a tasting of Ferrari spumante – Besser Perlen.
*Article available for pay/with registration