Rendering Italy’s public infrastructure competitive: projects, investment, tariffs

Public infrastructure is key to relaunching Italy’s competitiveness; they also demand involvement on various levels: state, regional and local. European directives shake up the Italian regime as well, forcing adaptation to the Merloni law and a re-evaluation of the role of the General Contractor. Participants at this discussion focussed on identifying the enormous financial resources necessary for large public works. To this end, they stressed not only the role of the European Investment Bank and the Italian state, but new and innovative tools of project financing. Finally, participants discussed tariffs to be demanded of citizens who use the infrastructure, and highlighted the need for a careful balance between high quality and social expenses so as not to place too much of a burden on the end user.