Monthly Briefs

Monthly Brief on the Italian Political Economy – March 2024

LAST MONTH IN BRIEF

05/03 -- The Italian National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT) releases the national accounts data for 4Q2023. GDP increased by 0.2% with respect to the previous quarter and by 0.6% in comparison with 4Q2022, exceeding expectations

08/03 -- The European Commission approves an Italian State aid scheme, partly funded by the NRRF, to support companies producing equipment, key components, and critical raw materials necessary to foster the transition to a net-zero economy

11/03 -- Minister for Enterprises and Made in Italy Adolfo Urso announces a €3.2 billion foreign direct investment by the Singaporean semiconductor company Silicon Box to build a chiplet factory in Northern Italy (see Deep Dive 1)

12/03 -- Undersecretary for Technological Innovation Alessio Butti organises an event to illustrate Italy’s approach to Artificial Intelligence (AI). During the event, PM Meloni announces an AI Law including investments of around €1 billion in AI (see Deep Dive 2)

14-15/03 -- The G7 Ministerial meeting on Industry, Technology and Digital is held in Verona and Trento, led by Minister Urso and Undersecretary Butti (see Deep Dive 2)

17/03 -- PM Meloni, together with the President of the European Commission and other European PMs, visits Egypt to strengthen the EU-Egypt strategic partnership, signing some financial and cultural cooperation agreements and discussing the Italian investment plan for Africa (Mattei Plan)

25/03 -- Lufthansa’s partial acquisition of ITA Airways is facing a potential impasse as the European Commission sends a Statement of Objections, citing concerns that it would lead to lower competition on certain routes in and out of Italy

27/03 -- Minister of Economy Giancarlo Giorgetti holds parliamentary hearings to explain the rationale behind the government’s plan to sell part of its stake in the Italian postal service company (Poste Italiane)

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