Italy predicted to exit recession by end of 2013

Italy’s economy will begin emerging from its longest slump since the Second World War in the fourth quarter of this year and should grow through 2014, its economy minister Fabrizio Saccomanni said.

Asked when Italy would exit the recession, Saccomanni told Rome daily Il Messaggero in an interview published yesterday: “By the end of this year.”

“The signs can already be seen in this third quarter; the fourth quarter should see the first positive number. And the whole of 2014 will be positive.”