There is something new in the economy of the South that politics must take into account. Never like this time – for ten years now – there is a strong need to harmonize investments in infrastructure, environment and credit. Strategic sectors, useful for making that micro-economy, which is showing signs of recovery, take off even more. Furthermore, two Regions – Campania and Basilicata- have resumed a growth rate which is driving the remaining Regions of the “other Italy”. Yes, because it is still an "other Italy", from where thousands of young people flee in search of employment every year. However, from the "Pmi Mezzogiorno 2017" report, edited by Confindustria and presented in Naples, more reassuring values emerge that are known until now under trace. Small and medium-sized industry is a driving force for recovery, as demonstrated by the 25 companies with up to 250 employees. However, forward-looking considerations also concern money for technological innovation to support competitiveness. Infrastructures and environmental aspects weigh in equal measure, as conditioning factors for a serene entrepreneurial activity. But the demand for innovation comes out heavily, when the investments made up to now and the credits are compared.
For Confindustria, having reached April, 2017 may allow the area of the former Agenzia del Mezzogiorno to recover pre-crisis levels. According to the president of the Cohesion Policy Committee, Natale Mazzuca, "the profile of the South is that of an area that has timidly returned to growth, but in which the pace with which the signs of the restart are affirming make its consistency only partially perceptible" . The signals are not unique and therefore the mapping of the recovery is not homogeneous. The major economic indicators: GDP, exports, employment, businesses and investments are all positive. There is a desire to create a system with local institutions and social representation.
But too many times the slogan has not been reflected in reality. The case of the European funds of recent years and their use must go towards a clear discontinuity. It is not useful, especially when faced with positive numbers, to blame one or the other for negligence. Creating a system also means self-criticism due to the rigidity generated by local bureaucracy, political deception and lack of foresight. Neglecting - pro bono pacis - events such as the regional opposition to the gas pipeline that crosses Puglia, let's think of when the Renzi government wanted to change its approach and perspective with the Masterplan for the South. And the agreements implementing that plan are taking their first steps. After all, Minister Calenda's Industry 4.0 plan will also have to take into account 18 thousand new capital companies born in the South in the first 6 months of the year and the overall turnover increased by +3,9%. They don't meet gross margins that are lower than a third, but it comes back to the main points of who should do what. Hurriedly so as not to cool the good indicators of the Confindustria Report.
