Italy set to enter recession in 2012, says deputy minister

ROME (AFP) - Deputy Economy Minister Vittorio Grilli said on Sunday Italy was set to enter a recession in 2012, with Gross Domestic Product predicted to shrink by 0.4 to 0.5 per cent.

Italy's growth should level out again by 2013, he added during a press conference following the adoption by the cabinet of a draconian package aimed at pulling the country back from the brink of insolvency.