Economy of Etruria
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The economy of Etruria is a highly diversified trade-based economy. Most raw materials needed by industry are imported. Etruria's economic strength is in the shipment of goods around the world. Limited processing and the manufacturing of goods, primarily in small and medium-sized family-owned firms comes as a close second to trade. Etruria's major exports are motor vehicles, chemicals, petrochemicals, electricity, home appliances, and aerospace technology; but the country's more famous exports are in the fields of fashion, food industry, luxury vehicles and yachts.
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History
Etruria had a largely agrarian economy until the industrial revolution. In the last decade of the nineteenth century, a fundamental change spurred by Karsosian Zebadiah Barrister's steam engine, Odessan Brian Smer's forging process, and Etrurian Constantius Gallus' cotton spinning machines moved Etruria into the industrial age. Although Etruria was not the first to industrialize, Etrurians were quick to embrace developing technology. The industrialization was most readily embraced by Etruria's transportation, mining and agricultural industry. Etruria's manufacturing sector remained a cottage industry and never reached the large scale production that other industrialized nations achieved during the industrial revolution. However, this does not mean that Etrurian manufacturing processes were not improved by the technological gains achieved during industrialization.
Primary Sectors
Although the Etrurian primary sector provides a strong foundation for domestic industry, Etruria does not produce significant amounts of raw materials for export.
Mining and Minerals
Western Etruria is rich in lighter than air gases, bauxite ore, coal, and precious metals. Etrurian based conglomerate company the Diamas Group controls most of the world's trade in diamonds.
Top three imports are iron ore (Odessa/Antara/Torentine), precious metals (Karsos/Sam'thuma/Raipea), and oil (Antara/Odessa/Torentine/Karsos).
Agriculture
Top agricultural exports include fruit, grains, wood, and rubber. Etruria's Imperial Fruit Company is one of the world's largest. Large orange and banana plantations in Galia are owned jointly by Imperial Fruit Company and Gamayel Planters.
Top three imports are livestock (Karsos/Lindossë/Odessa) and fish (Lindossë/Odessa).
Secondary Sectors
Manufacturing
Etrurian industry produces many select goods (such as hand made automobiles, yachts, wines and clothing) known for exceptional quality and clean minimalist style. Etrurians are proud of the renowned quality of Etrurian goods and services. Etruria's Nephos is the leading designer and manufacturer of airships, a claim also made by Nathaia. Domestic automobile industry includes brands such as ACE and FIDO. Etruria based Diamas Group manages several foreign manufacturing ventures, including Imperial Motors and its subsidiary Ishinny Motors.
Top three imports are military equipment (Odessa), machinery (Antara/Torentine Empire), TBD.
Energy
Etruria has a net surplus of electric power. The largest hydro-electric generator in Etruria is located on the Lethe in the eastern Etrurian Province of Alsatia and is capable of producing 2,620 MW of electricity. However the Lethe facility is not typical of Etrurian hydro-electric dams. Most of the nearly 10,000 hydroelectric facilities in Etruria are far smaller. In areas of western Etruria where hydro-electric power is not feasible, coal power plants are used.
Tertiary Sectors
Transport
Etruria has the leading global shipment system. Due to the advanced network of Etrurian shipment centers, Etruria is able to purchase goods in foreign markets and deliver them to different markets for less cost than the original producer. Say for example that Kantonia produces fruit and grains which are exported to Monota. Etrurian trade houses purchase these goods in Kantonia and use an efficient air shipment system to deliver these same goods to Monota faster and for less money. These trade houses often out compete local businesses in foreign markets eventually monopolizing the export to a particular region. The result is that although many Etrurians have never tasted Kantonian fruit, Monotans are very familiar with imported Kantonian fruit under Etrurian labels. However, this strategy only works over moderate to long distances spanning entire regions, oceans or continents. Etrurian trade houses cannot compete with local and inter-regional trade. As a result, Etrurian trade houses are generally an enabler of local economies by expanding the reach of foreign businesses that would otherwise be incapable of reaching distant markets.
Both shipping and passenger services are provided primarily by airship. Etrurians have ready access to a global air travel to destinations both locally, regionally and around the world. Etruria has a very limited system of roads. Most are not suitable for the shipment of goods. Four major and nearly a dozen minor waterways provide limited transportation by boat. Passenger rail services are extensively available with limited shipping capability.
Taxation
Apart from limited strategic controls, the Etrurian economy is free from government intervention. Businesses and products are not taxed by the High State or local government. The High State taxes individual income at a proportional rate of 10%.
