EC sees Italy's GDP rising 4.2% this year

(ANSA) - ROME, MAY 12 - The European Commission said in its spring economic forecasts on Wednesday that it expects Italy's GDP to rise by 4.2% this year and by 4.4% in 2022.
    It said the coronavirus vaccination campaign and the easing of COVID-19 restrictions was paving the way for a strong recovery in the second half of 2021.
    It said EU-supported investments should put the economy onto a path of "sustained expansion".
    It said Italy's public debt will continue to rise this year but should start coming down in 2022.
    "After a highly significant recession in 2020, Italy's growth forecasts are positive and encouraging," said European Economic Affairs Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni..
    He said the 750-billion-euro Next Generation EU recovery programme should give the bloc a boost of around 1.2 GDP points.
    (ANSA).