Comments by Italy's economy minister Pier Carlo Padoan

  • Sees debt down by 1% in 2018
  • Italy's banking system not seen as risk factor anymore

One of the more realistic forecasts among the Eurozone economies. On a work-day adjusted level, Italy's economy grew at 1.5% in 2017.

Padoan now adds that the forecasts here are 'conservative' and could be higher - saying that GDP growth could be close to 2% with investments. I think he'd better just stick with 1.5% for now given what we're seeing in Q1 out of the Eurozone.