Italy's economic growth will be 'around zero', says PM Renzi

Italy's Prime Minister has said that Europe's third largest economy will see growth of only "around zero" this year.

Matteo Renzi's forecast is lower than the government's previous prediction and comes as the economy tackles its third recession in a decade.

"I am not optimistic," Mr Renzi said in a pre-recorded interview to be aired later on Tuesday. It is the first time he has put a figure on likely growth.

Lacklustre growth will do little to help the eurozone's own economic woes.

The Italian economy's slowdown over the first half of this year has raised questions over whether Mr Renzi can meet his promise to cut spending, while also boosting growth and halting the rise in unemployment.

He came to power in February on a programme of tackling red tape and

Potentials of five major sectors of the Nigerian Economy

Agriculture contributed 41.84 percent to Nigeria’s GDP in 2009, and employs about 70percent of its workforce. Investing in profitable, high growth and sustainable agribusiness in Nigeria is seen as a way to drive youth employment.

Nigeria is blessed with an agriculture friendly climate, coastal and marine resources of over 960 kilometres of shoreline, expansive rivers and lakes covering 120,000 square kilometres and a large consumer market.

“The potential for growth is quite remarkable and agriculture, in itself, is a major contributor to the national Gross Domestic Product. Research shows that Nigeria has over 80 million hectares of arable land. This accounts for about 23 percent of arable land across all of West Africa. Thus, in terms of production, the potential for West Africa to leap forward is immense as the region possesses not only land, but the lowest levels of irrigation in the world,” said Kola Masha, Managing director, Doreo Partners.

He also noted that