Rome - Overview:
As the capital of Italy, Rome is the seat of the Italian government and one of Europe's great cultural centres. It is situated in the Lazio region on Italy's west coast and is at the centre of the Roman Catholic Church, with the Vatican City contained within its boundaries. The city is also home to several international agencies such as the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the World Food Programme (WFP) and the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM).
Economy:
Rome is one of Italy's three main economic centres, along with Milan and Turin. Its main economic activities are centred on the administrative and political sectors and the tourist industry. Other significant industries include banking and financial services, fashion, printing, publishing and national radio and television.
As a result of the Government's decentralisation programme, public sector employment in Rome is likely to decrease in the coming years. The city is therefore in the midst of a major investment programme aimed at maximising the possibilities from tourism and encouraging major national and multinational companies to set up operations in the city.
Local Infrastructure:
Rome's principle airport, Leonardo da Vinci (Fiumicino) Airport, is situated 26 kilometres to the southwest of the city centre and is one of the busiest airports in Europe, offering flights to and from numerous destinations all over the world. The airport is connected to the city by a direct train, which runs at intervals of 30 minutes. The city is also served by Ciampino airport, which mostly caters for domestic flights, with some international flights also available.
The city itself has an extensive public transport system comprised of buses, trams, subway and suburban railways. However, the use of these is relatively limited as many commuters prefer private transport, which has led to significant problems with traffic congestion.
Local Workforce:
Rome benefits from a variety of excellent educational establishments that ensure employers in the Lazio region have access to a skilled and well educated workforce. In fact, according to figures published by Eurostat, the region has the lowest incidence in the country of people who do not hold a post compulsory qualification.
Standard of Living:
In Mercer's Quality of Living Survey 2002, which assesses 215 cities around the world on criteria covering political, social, economic and environmental factors, Rome was ranked 14th out of the EU capitals and 68th in the world.
The city scored a total of 93.5 points, compared to 106.5 points for the first placed city of Zurich. London and Madrid were both positioned 41st in the world on 100 points, while Paris was placed 31st on 101.5 points. For environmental factors, such as air pollution levels and the efficiency of waste disposal and sewage systems, Rome was ranked 13th out of the EU capitals and 98th in the world.
Business Costs:
According to a report published by Richard Ellis Global Research and Consulting in July 2002, office occupancy costs in Rome are among the lowest in Europe at an average of $43.23 per square foot per annum. This compares to a cost of $113.19 in the city of London, $83.67 in Paris, $56.63 in Frankfurt, $52.33 in Madrid and $48.18 in Milan.
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