Italian micro‑enterprise productivity and regional gaps examined in new reports

The Confederation of Italian Enterprises (AEPI) hosted a meeting in Rome where research from the Centre for Productivity Studies, led by Marco Travaglini, highlighted that the services sector drives the national economy but shows a stark split between high‑value‑added services such as technology and finance and traditional, lower‑productivity services. Micro‑enterprises, which account for about 95 % of Italy’s 4.31 million firms, face productivity shortfalls and territorial inequalities. AEPI president Mino Dinoi announced plans to submit five policy proposals aimed at boosting investment, innovation and firm size to improve competitiveness.

A Bank of Italy report on the Sicilian economy for 2025 shows mixed performance. While 82 % of Sicilian companies posted profits and liquidity improved, sectors like chemicals and refining saw a 44.9 % production drop and a 23.4 % fall in oil‑product exports. Conversely, construction linked to public‑investment programmes and shipbuilding experienced strong growth, with ship exports rising 91.6 % to Spain. The analysis underscores the need for targeted investment and education to close regional gaps and sustain growth.