Southern Italy: Here's how not to waste Europe's money

HOW TO REVIVAGE THE SOUTH –

We're finally talking about the South. Matteo Renzi's decision to convene a national leadership meeting of the Democratic Party (PD) specifically on Southern Italy today is almost a necessary step after the Svimez report, which described the South as sinking worse than Greece, denounced the situation. The Prime Minister seems to have understood that without the relaunch of the southern regions there will never be a recovery in Italy. and sends messages that mix the pragmatic Renzian narrative ( ) with strategic objectives, such as the 12 billion euro plan for ultra-broadband. A project for the modernization of the country system, with respect to which, however, we cannot forget that at the moment, According to Istat data, 55 percent of families in the South do not have access to the InternetIt's a part of Italy completely cut off from the Internet and its opportunities.

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REQUALIFICATION OF PUBLIC SPENDING –

But what should we actually expect from the Democratic Party leadership and the government? The first point is a real requalification of public spending, a problem of quality rather than quantity. The €12 billion in unspent European funds, part of a program that ended in 2013, cry out for vengeance, and even more telling is the fact that funding in Southern Italy has been dispersed across 907 projects. Madness. A sign of high levels of cronyism and the parallel ineffectiveness of public policy. To bring order to this cesspool, previous governments had relied on a leadership role from Rome, entrusted to a Ministry of Territorial Cohesion led first by Fabrizio Barca (with Mario Monti) and then by Carlo Trigilia (with Enrico Letta). What happened to this structure? Why, as often happens in Italy, is there no continuity in long-term decisions that cannot be shelved with every change in majority? Renzi would do well to provide a clear and forceful answer to these questions.

INFRASTRUCTURE AND TRANSPORT –

Second, there's no need to invoke phantom Marshall Plans for the South: we've already seen and heard too many of them. All virtual. European funds and the resulting national funds must be concentrated on major infrastructures, first and foremost transport and the redevelopment of urban areas, without which any industrial policy in the South is destined to fail.If I were the prime minister, I'd send someone to study how EU funds have been spent in Poland and Ireland, two models worth emulating. If a mayor or regional president also wants to finance the bowling alley of his fellow voters, let him do so, take responsibility, and find the money.

MICRO ENTERPRISES –

Third point: micro-enterprises from belowHere, the government, which is also producing some good results, must focus on tax incentives, subsidized and non-repayable financing, and accompanying policies within a framework of sector objectives. A good example is the network of small businesses established in Puglia around the mix of tourism, food and wine, and cultural heritageThey changed the face of an area, bringing employment and wealth.

FOREIGN INVESTMENTS –

Finally foreign investmentsThey're indispensable, but if any non-Italian entrepreneur reads what's been happening around Ilva for several years, between judicial seizures and government decrees to unblock them, the first thing they think is this: I'll never put my money in this part of Italy. Foreigners can and must arrive if they have guarantees on the infrastructure and on the streamlining of bureaucratic procedures. (This is about offering a turnkey service) and significant tax relief. All things that the government's words and actions can determine.

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