Italian Gourmet Carnival kick-off in Beijing

(AGI) Beijing, June 1 - Italy has organised the Italian Gourmet Carnival in Beijing aiming to increase its food exports to China by focusing on safety and quality. Until June 10, the finest products of Italian agribusiness will be showcased at the event. The carnival is sponsored by the Italian Trade Agency (ICE) and organised by Olive Branch Trading Group in Beijing. It was opened by the Director of the ICE offices in China, Amedeo Scarpa, and the Ambassador of Italy to China, Ettore Sequi. In his address, the ambassador emphasised the importance of food quality and safety. He said that there was ample room for growth for the Italian food industry in China. The opening was also attended by various Chinese authorities on matters of food safety, and by twelve Chinese importers of Italian food and beverages who exhibited some of the most famous Italian products. According to the latest figures, Italy is not living up to growth expectations on the Chinese market: in 2015, the Italian agribusiness exported 400 million euros'-worth to China, of which 105 million was in the form of wine. This figure puts Italy in nineteenth place on the list of food and beverage suppliers to China. However, the sector will be the focus of an ICE promotion campaign starting in the second half of 2016, Scarpa promised. (AGI) . .