Italian machine tool orders fell 56.3% year-on-year in the first half of the year

According to statistics from the research department of the Italian Machine Tool, Robot and Automation Manufacturers Association (UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE), compared with the same period last year, in the first half of 2009, Italian machine tool orders fell by 56.3% year-on-year. Among them, in the second quarter, the country's machine tool orders fell by 63.1% as a whole, while domestic orders fell by 62% and foreign orders fell by 64%. Giancarlo Losma, president of the association, said the statistics were worrying for the Italian machine tool, robotics, automation and assistive technology industries. He pointed out that although the Italian government has taken measures to try to mobilize the machine tool market, it is difficult for machine tool companies to benefit from relevant measures if credit institutions do not provide loans to ensure the liquidity of capital.