(ANSA) - Rome, July 25 - The economic crisis has had
"extremely difficult effects" on southern Italy and strong
intervention will be necessary to boost weak signs of growth,
Confindustria said Friday.
The Italian employers' federation said that since the start
of the financial crisis in 2007, gross domestic product (GDP) in
the south has fallen 47.7 billion euros, more than 600,000 jobs
have been lost in that part of Italy, and nearly two of every
three southern youths is unemployed.
Still, some weak signs of growth have been seen, such as
the opening of small businesses and a slight increase in
tourism, Confindustria said in its report.
Reforms are necessary in order to bolster growth, it added.
GDP in south down 47.7 bn euros
Unemployment affects nearly 2/3 of southern Italian youth