STANDARD & LEGISLATION - UCIF Informs
Has the Pandemic Changed Economic Dynamics? Marcello Zinno UCIF – Italian Surface Treatment Equipment Manufacturers’ Association, Milan, Italy
E
info@ucif.net
verything has been said about the
reopening phase as soon as possible.
when other sectors will start recovering. On
pandemic. However, not many
Continuing with our analysis of Europe,
the other hand, it is also a strength, because
analyses have been made on future
England was also hugely impacted.
we will be able to observe what industries
economic dynamics. Someone has
2020 is a crucial, transitional year for
will be the first to invest and understand
gone into bold predictions related to a
Brexit, as the country should leave the
where there will be a greater need for
“return to normal” in 2021, but almost
EU on 1 January 2021. It will probably
solutions.
all the economic “voices” have involved
not, because the collapse of the Pound
Overseas, the United States of America
requests for help from the governments
together with the health and political
has been seriously affected and President
to support the industry. How will our
issues tied to the “Covid management”
Trump has repeatedly spoken out against
economy change?
could push the UK to ask for an
the lockdown to entice his electorate made
China was certainly the country that
extension of the transition period, with
up of entrepreneurs and self-employed
suffered the greatest economic impact,
further uncertainties on various areas,
workers. However, his statement that “If US
also because of the lockdown policies
including the regulatory one (how long
has 100,000 to 200,000 deaths, we have
implemented, the first and strictest one
will European standards apply to the UK?
done a good job” is forcing him to offer
in the world. For the first time in several
What will be the role of England on the
his mea culpa, given that the current data
decades, one of the strongest and
various working tables of the European
are already close to that figure. However,
constantly growing economies at the
bodies in which English representatives
historically, the US economy has always
global level will have a negative national
already participate?). Meanwhile, the
used a series of “vaccines” for recovery, such
GDP at the end of this year. This could
health and economic crisis is also falling
as the New Deal after the Great Depression
tempt other economies, which are
on Russia, which initially seemed almost
and, more recently, the financial crisis of
already seizing market opportunities
free from the virus. This will generate a
2007 in the aftermath of the September 11
where China has lost ground. However,
series of problems relating to the natural
attacks. Therefore, it is estimated that the
we should not forget that China is not
resources imported by other countries.
run-up to growth will be accelerated.
only a competitor, but also a supplier. Its
In Italy, there will be two important
Among other things, it has not been
crisis is spreading like wildfire to other
sectors that will experience serious
emphasised that the virus has mainly
countries as well.
losses in 2020, trade and tourism. On
affected the countries with developed
A similar phenomenon has occurred
the other hand, the industrial sector
economies, and only with months of delay
within the European continent,
has already restarted as soon as
has it reached the developing ones. In terms
where each country has adopted
Phase 2 was announced and, despite
of health at the international level, this was
different solutions with very different
numerous difficulties, that economic
a lifesaver: the response to the pandemic
lockdown periods, without any central
space that existed before this sad year
will be more effective than in a hypothetical
coordination. This has resulted in
is being rebuilt. The finishing industry,
reverse case.
different evolutions of the pandemic, but
in particular, has the advantage/
In conclusion, we have lived in a globalised
also in the creation of several economies
disadvantage of being related to a
world for some time now, but each
with different paces. Foreign companies
process phase located the end of the
economy will have a different recovery
with suppliers in Italy had to look for
production cycle and, therefore, of
speed. It will be very important to grasp
new partners in other countries, with
being subjected to the cyclical economic
these dynamics at the international level.
severe consequences on our market
fluctuations of the upstream sectors
Italian companies have always had a
and our competitiveness. This was one
with a “delay”. On the one hand, this is a
vocation for export. This period, therefore,
of the reasons why ANIMA asked the
weakness for us, as we will experience
will present a series of opportunities for
Italian government to authorise a safe
difficulties for some time to come, even
them. (But first, let us heal our wounds.)
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N. 63 - MAY/JUNE 2020 - international PAINT&COATING magazine