Everything as expected: the South decree is law. After saying Yes to the trust placed by the Government with 318 votes in favor and 153 against, the Chamber of Deputies definitively approves the text with 276 Yes and 121 No.
An important measure aimed at overcoming the gap between the southern regions and the rest of the country. In fact, we recall that according to Svimez's advances in the 2017 report, in 2017 GDP "should increase by 1,1% in the South and by 1,4% in the Centre-North", thus returning Southern Italy lags behind other areas of Italy. The same trend, according to Svimez, also in 2018, when "a 0,9% increase in the product is expected in the South and 1,2% in the Centre-North". If the South and Islands continue with the current growth rates, "it will recover pre-crisis levels in 2028, 10 years after the Centre-North", achieving de facto twenty years of zero growth which would follow "the stagnation of the early XNUMXs, with consequences harmful on an economic, social and demographic level".
To prevent this from happening, the decree on the South provides for a series of measures aimed at stimulating the economic and employment growth of the territory “also through the identification of incentive tools for young entrepreneurs, as well as new simplification tools aimed at speeding up administrative procedures and promoting economic growth in the regions” of southern Italy. Among the points at the heart of the provision is also the need to introduce "new tools for the efficiency and transparency of administrative action" and the urgency of "planning interventions to support training".
In detail, here are the main measures envisaged by the provision for the South.
Dl Sud, “Resto al Sud”: incentives for new businesses
Among the main measures is “Resto al Sud”. The law provides an incentive for the opening of new companies active in the agriculture, handicraft, industry, fishing and aquaculture sectors, or even in services (for example tourism).
The incentive will be aimed in particular at young entrepreneurs from Abruzzo, Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Molise, Puglia, Sardinia and Sicily, aged between 18 and 35, who will be offered a "bonus" of 40 thousand euros, of which 35% non-repayable and the remaining 65% with a zero-interest loan, aimed at covering the entire investment and working capital, with the exclusion of planning and personnel costs (up to 200 euros for companies with multiple shareholders). Funding for a total amount of up to €1.250 million is envisaged for this instrument.
From the South: uncultivated lands
Another important measure establishes the promotion of new businesses through the concession or lease (for a maximum of 9 years), following a public tender, by the local authorities of abandoned land and areas to be used for reuse projects. In this case, the incentive will be aimed at young people between the ages of 18 and 40. In the previous discussion that took place at Palazzo Madama, the senators decided to include some agricultural activities located in the regions affected by the "recent seismic events" in the concessions.
From the South: the Zes are born
The provision provides for the establishment of the Zes, acronym of special economic zones that will be able to count on preferential taxation. For this purpose, 200 million euros will be allocated, 40 to be allocated to active employment policies and 150 to finance administrative support for local authorities.
The zes will be managed by a steering committee. Each region will have the opportunity to propose the establishment of one or two special areas where simplified procedures and particular regimes will be applied, as well as tax benefits for businesses.
Dl Sud: Education and school building
Various measures are envisaged to combat early school leaving and child educational poverty in certain areas areas at risk of exclusion.
Furthermore, the measures implemented to guarantee the smooth running of the school year in Abruzzo and in the other areas affected by the 2017 earthquake are extended to the 2018-2016 school year. The funds allocated for the safety of buildings will again be made available to the regions.
From the South: Flixbus is safe
The decree also contains the now famous rule saves Flixbus: the low-cost operator of scheduled transport on medium and long-distance buses that does not manage transport but relies on companies that provide this service will be able to continue to operate. At the same time, all companies with the same business model are potentially "started up".
Dl Sud: capital goods
Extended by a further 2 months, from 31 July 2018 to 30 September 2018, the deadline for the delivery of capital goods on which it can apply tax hyper-depreciation at 250 per cent. The decree approved by the Government had already provided for a mini-extension for the depreciation increased by 250 per cent (from the original 30 June to 31 July 2018).
From the South: layoffs
The terms of the Extraordinary Redundancy Fund have been extended, which can still be used by companies operating in areas of complex industrial crisis. Today, a further intervention of up to 12 months can be granted. The derogation can be provided not only once but "for each reference year" of the agreement stipulated with the Ministry of Labour.
Dl Sud: 100 million for Central Italy
Finally, 100 million were allocated from the EU Solidarity Fund for the removal of rubble in the areas of central Italy affected by last year's earthquake. The state of emergency has been extended to the end of February 2018 and the deadline for accessing contributions for slightly damaged houses to 31 December 2017. The decree also provides that houses with serious damage are excluded from the inheritance tax.
(Last update: 20.05)
