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Italy - Sicilian workmanship finds a place by Canada’s heart

Italian tie maker finds profitable market in Canada

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Canada
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EU exporter
Italy

Graffeo Cravatte is an Italian manufacturer of high quality handmade ties. The company, based in Alcamo in the province of Trapani, has been supplying ties to the Italian market for the last 24 years. Recently, however, Graffeo Cravatte has been setting its sights on international markets as far away as North America.

Graffeo Cravatte began to trade with Canada four years ago and now operates with three local distributors in that country. In fact, the company’s exports to Canada now make up 7% of total turnover.

Graffeo Cravatte has even hired an additional employee with excellent knowledge of the English language in an effort to keep pace with international demand.

Although business from Canada was already strong, Graffeo Cravatte anticipated a fresh surge in demand once CETA, the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, entered into force. With tariff barriers (fixed at around 17% in the past) reduced or eliminated by the agreement, the deal now allows Graffeo Cravatte to offer its ties at much more competitive prices to Canadians.

The labour intensive artisan nature of Graffeo Cravatte’s handmade production methods mean the money saved from tariffs goes a long way. In addition, the small company welcomes the streamlining of administrative procedures as a result of the EU-Canada trade deal.

In general terms, Europe benefits considerably as a result of CETA. For Italy, Canada is the third largest market outside the EU with exports worth €3.6 billion.

Find out more about the EU’s trade relations