Economic developments in BasilicataUpdate

The economic recovery that began last year continued through the first six months of 2007. Manufacturing production increased and the positive trend of exports was confirmed, albeit with some slackening due to slow growth in the motor vehicle sector. The summer tourist season closed with a slight increase in visitors, concentrated in the major tourist infrastructures. Employment growth came to a halt. The decline in the rate of unemployment, which remains higher than the national average, can be ascribed to the reduction in the number of job-seekers. Bank lending continued to rise. Thanks to the climate of the real economy, it was possible to maintain high levels of lending to the corporate sector. The flow of non-performing loans was lower than that recorded during the previous six-month period, although the stock of bad debts remains well above the national figure.