Italy’s cost of borrowing surged yesterday as investors dumped the country’s bonds in the wake of the general election.

POLAND’s Bank Zachodni has said it has held four meetings with potential buyers of AIB’s controlling interest in the company, but declined to say if the sale process was close to conclusion.

IRELAND'S infrastructural deficit has weakened its competitiveness and businesses are concerned that the poor exchequer finances will lead to investment cuts.

Rescue managers appointed to the troubled Italian company Parmalat are set to ask creditor banks for new loans to keep its factories running.