Bloomberg: Intel plans business units in France, Italy and Germany – IT Pro – News

I know since yesterday that Apple has a fab in Livorno, and it is understandable. But quite unbelievable that ST/M is in Catania (Sicily).

Coincidentally last week I was in the city and on the beach of Catania (vacation), 2km north of ST/M I see now. The region is in serious decline. Many buildings are empty, a lot of waste, homeless people and beggars.

Saturday it was stormy weather, twelve degrees, rain showers and wind force 6; you know it there. Despite winter coats, hats and scarves, it is not much to do outside; code red. Everyone turned out to be drinking on Sunday evening as an alternative, said the waitress.

When I asked if that wasn’t a problem because of work on Monday she said: “30% are unemployed anyway”.

The guide told me that most young people leave Sicily. After all, you are going to do the same job there as your parents, and just like in Greece you hope that your family can arrange a job for you with the government because then you are stuck. If not, you leave; to Milan for example or abroad.

Catania has also been wiped off the map twice due to an earthquake and eruption of Etna, the country north of ST/M was created after the lava of Etna made a patch of ground in the Mediterranean.

It would be quite remarkable if Intel were to open an office there!

Who knows, AMD will follow with an office in Palermo I haven’t been there, but I heard that apart from the volcano it’s all very similar.

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