After the period quite favourable that this sector had reached during 1998 and the expectation of a little decrease we can say that the results of the semester have certainly disappointed.

Productive levels hav been in the lowest of the last year and half with a degree of utilization reduced of 45% in comparison with the previous semester. Almost all results are negatives, from selling to investments to occupation.

The reduction suffered by the productive process, and first of all its continuation in time, symptom of decline of structural character of this segment of Abruzzi’s industry, has nethertheless important unit that anyway contribute to the stability of the labour demand, considering that in this sector, like in others, beyond of the economic unfavourable moment the companies have been interviewed anticipated an improvement of occupational picture

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