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Italy economy: IMF says country has 'two lost decades' of growth Italy economy: IMF says country has 'two lost decades' of growth
(about 1 hour later)
Italy's economy will not return to the levels seen before the 2008 financial crisis until the mid-2020s, the IMF has said, implying "two lost decades".Italy's economy will not return to the levels seen before the 2008 financial crisis until the mid-2020s, the IMF has said, implying "two lost decades".
By the mid-2020s, it says the economies of other eurozone members will be 20-25% larger than levels seen in 2008.By the mid-2020s, it says the economies of other eurozone members will be 20-25% larger than levels seen in 2008.
The Fund's comments came as it cut its growth forecasts for the eurozone's third largest economy.The Fund's comments came as it cut its growth forecasts for the eurozone's third largest economy.
It now expects Italy's economy to grow by less than 1% this year, compared with an earlier estimate of 1.1%.It now expects Italy's economy to grow by less than 1% this year, compared with an earlier estimate of 1.1%.
The IMF also cut its growth forecast for 2017 to about 1% from 1.25%.The IMF also cut its growth forecast for 2017 to about 1% from 1.25%.
Italy has an unemployment rate of 11% and a banking sector in crisis, with government debt second only to that of Greece.Italy has an unemployment rate of 11% and a banking sector in crisis, with government debt second only to that of Greece.
Italian banks are weighed down by massive bad debts, and may need a significant injection of funds.Italian banks are weighed down by massive bad debts, and may need a significant injection of funds.
The IMF said any recovery in the Italian economy was likely to be "fragile and prolonged", adding that the authorities faced a "monumental challenge".The IMF said any recovery in the Italian economy was likely to be "fragile and prolonged", adding that the authorities faced a "monumental challenge".
"The recovery needs to be strengthened to reduce high unemployment faster and buffers need to be built, including by repairing strained bank balance sheets and decisively lowering the very high public debt.""The recovery needs to be strengthened to reduce high unemployment faster and buffers need to be built, including by repairing strained bank balance sheets and decisively lowering the very high public debt."
Speaking after the release of the report, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi said that Britain's vote to leave the European Union would add pressure to all countries in the eurozone.
"Growth estimates are down after the Brexit," he told Italian radio station RTL. "Europe's economy will slow briefly, but in the mid-term the English are the ones who will feel the damage the most."
Luring banks
Last week, the IMF cuts its growth forecast for the eurozone as a whole because of the expected impact of the UK voting to leave the EU.Last week, the IMF cuts its growth forecast for the eurozone as a whole because of the expected impact of the UK voting to leave the EU.
It now expects the eurozone's economy to grow by 1.6% this year and 1.4% in 2017. Before the referendum the IMF had predicted growth of 1.7% for both years.It now expects the eurozone's economy to grow by 1.6% this year and 1.4% in 2017. Before the referendum the IMF had predicted growth of 1.7% for both years.
Mr Renzi said that Italy would try to lure financial institutions who decide to leave London in the wake of Britain's departure from the EU.
There has been speculation that banks will move European headquarters out of London, currently Britain's largest financial centre, because they would no longer have access to the passporting system.
This allows them to offer financial services across all EU nations without having a permanent base in each country.
"We are trying with (Milan's mayor) Beppe Sala to bring to Milan a small part of the financial institutions that are in London," Mr Renzi said.