NZ sailing into Italians' minds

By Yoke Har Lee

Prada's victory in the Louis Vuitton Challenger Series is giving New Zealand products a fillip in Italy.

Being the venue for the America's Cup has brought New Zealand into sharper focus in Italy in general.

"It has particularly caught the imaginations of the more wealthy and influential Italians. This is translating into interest in tourism and investment," said Charles Barkla, New Zealand's Trade Commissioner and Consul-General in Italy.

New Zealand's high profile was helping our meat, wool, hides, skins, seafood and even flowers, he said.

"Italians see them as coming from an environment that they would appreciate."