Italian PM urges rapid switch to sustainable economy

Rimini (Italy), Nov 8 :  Italian citizens will benefit from a faster transition to a "sustainable, innovative and competitive economy," Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni said on Tuesday.

"In recent years Italy has committed strongly to a development model that can achieve economic growth while preserving the environment," Gentiloni said in an address to the Ecomondo trade fair - for the expanding material and energy recovery sector - being held in Italy's eastern coastal resort of Rimini till Friday.

"We need to continue on this positive path and to accelerate the transition towards a sustainable, innovative and competitive economy," he added.

The switch to a sustainable economy is creating a raft of new opportunities for Italian companies and workers, Gentiloni underlined. 

"This is sector that will become ever more strategic for our country," he said.