The
progressive globalization of markets, consumptions and
knowledge is one of the aspects characterizing our times. The
forthcoming enlargement of the European Union, from May 2004,
to 10 new partners, mainly East European countries, is a
further step of this process.
Since the economy of these countries
is based primarily on agriculture, with a low productivity and
poor use of technical means, I see it as an important market,
with over 100 millions inhabitants, that will join the Common
Market.
A long period of transition will be
necessary, during which the Italian companies should endeavour
to maintain and defend their quality level, while, if
possible, searching for and building new commercial
partnerships.
On the other side, the internal
competition is likely to increase within the enlarged European
Union, above all on lower quality seed productions, owing to
the lower costs and incomes of these new member States.
