(ANSA) - President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi on Wednesday threw his weight into Italy's battle to revive a flagging economy by issuing his first-ever call for citizens to "buy Italian." "When we buy Italian products we boost the activities of our own firms," Ciampi said.
Speaking to local administrators in this northwestern Italian city, Ciampi stressed that confidence was needed to stoke growth.
"We can do it," said the head of state, a former premier, governor of the Bank of Italy and Treasury minister. While there were encouraging signs of the economy picking up thanks to new products and new commercial strategies, it was still weak because of low domestic demand, he said.
"Firms and families are reluctant to invest and spend because of uncertainty about the future," the president said. "We have to think of our firms and families, by trying to raise confidence, to boost investments and consumer spending," Ciampi said.
He also urged fractious politicians to show more unity, saying that it was the premise for building confidence. National unity was a "vital sap," he said, urging politicians and citizens to revive the spirit that led to Italian unification in the 19th century. Ciampi's call was immediately hailed by political parties led by the devolutionist Northern League which has been calling for protective measures to halt the influx of foreign goods.
"Those who used to sing the praises of globalisation now realise the importance of safeguarding our goods - not just with appeals but also by specific norms that the League has been pressing for," said the League's Senate whip. Italy has only recently emerged from a recession and has one of the lowest growth rates in the European Union. It has been hit hard by international competition, especially from China.
