INFLATION AT + 2.4% FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY
Inflation reaches highest peak in the
last three years
I taly, together
with Ireland and Spain, shows an inflation rate above
the 2% threshold targeted by the Central European Bank.and
cities sampled for the month of March show a further rise
to +2.5%.
The government's anti-inflation package is considered
a good starting point and analysts believe inflation will
slower down in the second half of the year, but the March
27 meeting of gas producing countries in Vienna is of
the utmost importance in this respect.
Unions, however, are worried and consider soaring inflation
a true and proper emergency to be faced more resolutely.
Confindustria, conversely, believes that it is due only
to the high cost of gas.
Gross National Product increased by over 2.2% and Premier
D'Alema declared himself very satisfied of the country's
improved economic conditions and believes that this will
help create new employment.
It is important that the improved economy is not jeopardized
by untimely agreements on salaries and this must be borne
in mind when renewing civil service contracts due in the
near future.
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