Struggling Italian Business Owners Seek Chinese Investors

October 30, 2013

The economic crisis in Italy has left many small businesses in dire straits. Unable to get credit and with little hope of an economic recovery, increasing numbers of entrepreneurs are looking to sell their businesses to Chinese investors.

Laura Zanardi and Monica Borlini opened a bar-café thirteen years ago in the northern wine region of Franciacorta.

“It was just an empty rectangular warehouse. We redid it, building a mezzanine and creating more intimate areas. It was a ton of work, demanding both economically and in terms of hours of work. But it also gave us a lot of satisfaction. It's our baby,” recalled Zanardi.

Now, the two partners are ready to sell.

They say that the economic crisis has taken a toll on the customers and on the bar's profits.

“It is much more difficult now, more demanding. It used to be easy, money moved around. Now they are all very careful, you have to stay up until morning and try to give them good fun, a night not to think about their economic problems,” said Borlini.

They are trying to sell their business through a website called “vendereaicinesi.it” - literally “sell to the Chinese.”

Simone Topino is the co-founder of the website that helps translate and distribute ads targeting Chinese buyers.