Visit of the Secretary-General to Italy (Rome, 24th September 2012)

During his visit to Rome, Mr. Angel Gurría attended the “International Conference on Structural Reforms in Italy”. The aim of the Conference was to take stock of structural reforms recently adopted in Italy and to identify further steps to promote competitiveness, growth and employment while ensuring social cohesion. The conference was articulated into four sessions gathering experts from the OECD, the Italian Government and the scientific community.

At this Conference, the Secretary-General presented the report “OECD Better Policies Series – Italy: Reviving growth and productivity” (See the Italian version: Serie “Politiche migliori” Italia Dar Slancio Alla Crescitae Alla Produttività, Settembre 2012). Drawing on OECD member countries’ experiences, this brochure presents an update of key OECD policy advice in areas that are critical to Italy’s future. They include restoring public finance sustainability; facilitating the implementation of reforms; boosting productivity through better competition policies and regulations, including in the financial sector; promoting public sector integrity; making innovation and education policies more effective; and improving social cohesion through a better functioning labour market, stronger social mobility and higher female participation in the labour force. This brochure also presents some analysis of the likely payoff of the ongoing reforms in productivity enhancement, economic growth, jobs and competitiveness.

Mr. Angel Gurría delivered opening and closing remarks during the conference.

Joint Italian Government-OECD conference on competitiveness, growth and jobs - 24/09/2012
(Left/right) Angel Gurría, Secretary-General of the OECD; Mario Monti, Prime Minister of Italy and Dino Pesole, journalist from Il Sole 24 Ore, Rome, Italy.
Photo: laboratorio fotografico Chigi

In Rome, the Secretary-General also met with government officials including:

Mr. Giorgio Napolitano, President
Mr. Mario Monti, Prime Minister
Mr. Vittorio Grilli, Minister of Economy and Finance

For further information, journalists are invited to contact the OECD Media's Division: tel: (33) 1 45 24 97 00