(Corrects to include last name of Industry Minister in first paragraph)
MILAN, Feb 26 (Reuters) - The Italian government will unveil a first series of support measures for the country's fashion sector by the middle of March, Industry Minister Claudio Scajola said on Thursday.
"The government intends to support a sector that is crucial for 'Made in Italy' (exports) and for the whole of the Italian economy," Scajola said in a statement.
He said Italy's fashion industry has a turnover of 70 billion euros, employs about 800,000 people and covers about 30,000 distribution companies.
It has followed in the steps of the auto sector in calling for government help as the global economic crisis bites into demand for clothes and accessories.
In a senate hearing last week, the head of Sistema Moda Italia, which represents the textile and clothing industry, warned of risks for the sector and called for government help. (Reporting by Stephen Jewkes; editing by Carol Bishopric)