The first effects on inflation begin to manifest. With the indices recorded by Istat to soar in recent months due in particular to increases in energy prices. The October data show an annual growth of 2.9%, almost entirely explained by fuel, gas and electricity.
Increases that begin to be discharged downstream only partially among families and which in the meantime affect the production system in a much more direct way, putting many companies in difficulty. Price increases that could now even invite some companies to rethink their production volumes, an alarm that starts from Lombardy.
«The generalized rise in the cost of energy – explains the president of Confindustria Lombardia Francesco Buzzella – represents a shock that risks compromising the recovery of the Italian economy in the short term. As Confindustria Lombardia, we understand that some companies, in particular medium-sized enterprises, are considering implementing targeted energy lockdowns to stop production in the months of higher energy consumption. These are companies that have not entered into long-term contracts and therefore, depending on the economic trend of market prices – tripled in recent weeks compared to the same period of 2020 -, consider it cheaper to close in December rather than produce. The competitiveness of those companies that in particular work on international markets would be compromised, since the problem of the ‘expensive bill’ is an exclusively European speculative problem. The strategy of absorbing the increases implemented by the government is obviously unsustainable in the medium term, therefore it is important that action be taken quickly both at national and European level, by intervening on the prices of certifications on Co2 emissions, in order to stop financial speculation. , and working on the creation of integrated European storage as proposed by Premier Mario Draghi ».
A similar alarm is raised by the Regional Economic Development Councilor Guido Guidesi: «Some companies – he explains – have already decided to suspend production in December, I am very worried, urgent action is needed by the Government and Europe. The EU decided to return to the topic only in December, it is too late. They evidently do not realize the gravity of the situation. I have also highlighted my concerns to the government because waiting until December is too risky ».