International

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The economy is based on a dense network of small-scale businesses, flanked by a limited number of medium and large scale companies.
 

15% of the Italian companies active in the high-tech sector are concentrated in the Milanese area (manufacturing and tertiary industries), with 31% of the respective employees. One of the area's main development motors is provided by its creative economy, which produces patents, copyrights, brand names, and registered designs, and which is also a driving force for traditional areas of production.

The tourist system attracts around 10 million tourists to the province of Milan every year, with an equal proportion of foreigners and Italians. 

The area has also become the non-profit organisation capital, with around 11,000 institutions operating there. This sector plays an important role and mobilises significant human and economic resources. The total number of its employees amounts to 10% of the national total and 50% of that of Lombardy.

On 31 December 2007 there were 353,000 active registered companies in the province of Milan, representing 6.7% of the national total, showing a growth from the previous year of +4.3%. Their start-up rate was 8.3%, compared with a closure rate of 10.6%.

Distribution of active businesses in the Province of Milan, according to sector, as of 31.12.07.
From top: Services, industry, construction, commerce, hotels and restaurants, agriculture and fisheries

Source: Chamber of Commerce

The following graph shows the annual percentage variation in the raw industrial production rating for the province of Milan and the region of Lombardy for the years 2000-2007. The rating for 2007 is positive, but has experienced some fluctuation compared to previous years.
 

Source: Region of Lombardy, Union of Chambers of Commerce, Federlombardia: Joint analysis 2007