San Marino: Doing business and staying in touch
Doing Business in San Marino
A suit is recommended and prior appointments are absolutely essential. Avoid making appointments early in the morning or straight after lunch. A knowledge of Italian is useful.
Office Hours
Mon-Fri 0900-1700.
Economy
Light industries have been expanding quickly in recent years as the government seeks to diversify the economy away from tourism. Nonetheless, tourism continues to provide much of the republic's income, accounting for about half of GDP.
Quarried stone is an arcane though important export. Another unusual source of revenue is the sale of postage stamps and coins: both are popular with collectors and together account for over 10% of government income.
San Marino enjoys the status of a tax haven, as a growing number of non-resident deposits have been made in the principality's banks.
For information, contact the State Tourist Office (see Contact Addresses).
GDP
US$1,180 million (2006).
Main exports
Building stone, lime, wood, chestnuts and wheat.
Main imports
Manufactured goods and food.
Main trading partners
Italy, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, South America and China.
Keeping in Touch in San Marino
Telephone
There are no area codes.
Mobile Phone
Roaming agreements exist with international mobile phone companies.
Internet
Internet cafes can be found in all main towns.
Post
Good postal service. Airmail to European destinations takes approximately four days.