North-east driving force of growth-ISTAT

(ANSA) - Rome, June 22 - The north-east of Italy was the driving force of the nation's growth last year, with a 1.2% rise in its GDP, according to preliminary estimates released Thursday by ISTAT. The national statistics agency said that southern Italy's GDP rose by 0.9%, in line with the national average, while the north-west's was up 0.8% and central Italy's rose 0.8%.