( CNN ) -- As fears rise around emergence of a `` two-speed '' eurozone , the head of Italian clothing giant Benetton says the region 's southern economies should not be discounted . The eurozone 's debt crisis has exacerbated a split between the strong economies , led by Germany , and those which are struggling , such as Italy . However Alessandro Benetton , deputy executive chairman of the retailer -- which has 6,400 stores across 120 countries -- told CNN : `` Germany needs Europe just as much as Europe needs Germany . '' While Benetton acknowledges southern Europe is not producing as much as its northern counterparts , he said they should not be ignored . `` If Germany thinks it can do it by itself without Europe , I think it 's wrong because in a global market the critical mass is important , '' he said . Political tensions between Germany and countries such as Italy , and Greece , which triggered the crisis , have intensified as the crisis continues to roll on . But Benetton said countries including his homeland still have a role to play in the eurozone . `` Rather than throwing them out of the boat , I think you should encourage them to behave better , '' he said . Benetton is talking from experience -- the former investment banker was brought into the family business when the clothing chain was being challenged by cheaper , fast-fashion brands . The brand also faced down controversy last year with its `` unhate '' campaign featuring international leaders kissing each other . The campaign was cut after doctored images of the pope kissing a male Muslim cleric which were labeled by some as offensive . Controversies aside , the company remains a family business with Benetton 's father , Luciano , chairman of the group . And it is this family structure which remains the backbone of Italian business , with 90 % of the country 's economy based on SMEs . Benetton acknowledges there are problems associated with that . `` If the cost of the money is too high for the bank , it will not be accessible to small entrepreneurs and that can be very dangerous , '' he said . Benetton said Italy 's major problems are its aging population and high youth unemployment , rather than its ability to repay debt . `` It 's not whether we will be able to pay , a company that grows with a business model that is successful always pays it debts , '' he said . `` It is just a matter of time . ''
The president of Benetton says Europe 's southern countries should not be affected . Alessandro Benetton says Germany needs Italy just as much as Europe needs Germany . He thinks southern countries should be encouraged to behave better .