Based on the economic literature, various policy measures and institutions in the product and labor markets that increase growth and employment are studied. From a cross-country approach, this study finds a significant relationship between Vertical Fiscal Imbalances (VFIs) and fiscal performance...

Italy’s economic development after the recession is analyzed in this study. Earnings were hampered by low net interest and high loan-loss provisions, but banks remained profitable. A large and stable retail funding base and ample collateral to access eurosystem refinancing helped Italian banks...

The paper uses survey data to analyze whether financial market expectations on government budget deficits changed in France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom during the period of the Stability and Growth Pact (SGP). Our findings indicate that accuracy of financial expert deficit forecasts...

KEY ISSUES Seizing the Window of Opportunity for Reform and Growth Context: Euro area-wide policies and national efforts have supported a turnaround in market sentiment and real activity. Italy’s performance since the crisis, however, has been among the weakest in the euro area. Real activity...

This paper presents an update to the Report on the Observance of Standards and Codes (ROSC) on Fiscal Transparency Module for Italy. Some progress has been made vis-à-vis the 2003 ROSC update, especially toward strengthening the integrity of data. The reconciliation of above- and below-the-line...

During the 2003 Article IV Consultation mission, IMF staff reviewed developments in Italy's observance of fiscal transparency practices, with a view to updating changes in current practices, reviewing progress in implementing the initial report on observance and codes (ROSCs) recommendations,...

The inefficiency of the Italian judicial system has contributed to reduced investments, slow growth and a difficult business environment. The enforcement of civil and commercial claims suffers from excessive delays in court proceedings, resulting in a very large number of pending cases. The...