Feb. 8 - In order to support the uniqueness of Italian violin makers in the world, ICE – the Agency for the promotion abroad and the internationalization of Italian firms – has contributed to the first edition of "Mondomusica New York." The event is part of the Aefi Agreement (intended to promote the internationalization of national exhibitions) and it will be held in New York between March 15 and 17 at the Metropolitan Pavilion and Altman Building. The event is also part of the Year of Italian Culture in the United States. In addition to the display of musical instruments, there will also be concerts, master classes and seminars. "The Agency is again alongside CremonaFiere - said the president, Riccardo Monti - this time in New York, where we contributed to the first edition of Mondomusica, to organize an event that would raise awareness of the exhibition on the U.S. market and to facilitate trade relations with Italian manufacturers of musical instruments. Today, the focus is mainly on the Asian markets (Japan, China and Korea) and the United States. It is important to that they become accustomed to our musical instruments, both the consumers and the media, especially at a time when Italy is showing concrete signs of recovery."

THE MARKET OF MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

The market for musical instruments in the U.S. in 2012 was estimated at $ 6.2 billion (ICE analysis on data from the U.S. Department of Commerce and U.S. International Trade Commission). After a decline of 0.8% in the 2007-2012 period, it is expected to grow by 2.5% over the next five years. Although Italy's position is still weak in the U.S. market, Italian stringed instruments exported to the U.S. in the first 11 months of 2012 amounted to approximately $ 2 million. It should be pointed out, also, that Italy reported the highest growth among the major supplying countries: 30.4%, well above the average of U.S. imports (4.5%) of stringed instruments.