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A strengthening of energy cost containment measures, family income support and incentives for investments in energy efficiency and self-production, are some of the requests of the Confederation which warns: “Without effective measures, many entities risk postponing investments, reducing production or, in the most difficult cases, interrupting activity”.
“Calabrian micro and small businesses are bearing a burden that is increasingly difficult to bear because the increase in the costs of raw materials, logistics and credit are added to energy prices. In many cases, businesses are no longer able to pass on the increases to final prices without losing competitiveness or market shares.”
This was stated by the worried president of CNA Calabria Giovanni Cugliari, commenting on the progressive increase in energy and fuel prices and sounding the alarm: “Without effective support measures, many entities risk postponing investments, reducing production or, in the most difficult cases, interrupting activity. And there is also a concrete risk that by the end of the year the effects will be dramatic on family budgets as well. A region already in the grip of structural fragility, low average incomes and strong dependence on private mobility, cannot yet guarantee much oxygen even for citizens and workers, families”.
According to estimates developed by the national CNA, if oil and gas prices were to remain at current levels in the coming months, the increase in expenses for electricity, gas, fuel and food could translate into a greater annual expense for an average family of between 1,000 and 1,300 euros, with even higher peaks for large families and for those living in internal areas.
“In Calabria – explains Cugliari – where public transport still presents significant critical issues and thousands of workers are forced to travel daily by car, the impact risks being even more accentuated. The increases in fuel prices are already compressing the purchasing power of families and increasing the operating costs of artisan businesses and beyond”.
For CNA Calabria, there is also a real risk of a slowdown in internal demand, with immediate effects on consumption and local economic activities.
CNA Calabria also underlines how the increase in energy costs risks slowing down investments in innovation and ecological transition.
According to Confederation estimates, in a scenario of prolonged price increases there could be a reduction in investments of between 2% and 4%, with negative effects on economic growth and the competitiveness of the production system.
“We need to intervene quickly – concludes the president of CNA Calabria – by strengthening measures to contain energy costs, supporting family income and encouraging investments in energy efficiency and self-production. The stability of consumption and investments today represents an absolute priority to avoid a slowdown in the regional economy and safeguard thousands of businesses and jobs. We therefore renew our request to the Government and regional institutions to adopt structural interventions and extraordinary measures capable of protecting families and businesses in a particularly delicate economic phase”.