Lucca – In terms of business credit, North-West Tuscany travels at two speeds: the province of Lucca slows down less than the regional average, while Massa-Carrara sinks. The analysis of data for 2023 by the Studies and Research Institute of the Chamber of Commerce
The increase in the cost of money, the new guidelines on the assessment of creditworthiness and the increase in non-performing loans, linked to the slowdown in the economy, are stifling credit to businesses: if at a national and regional level the decline stands at 5 %, northern Tuscany moves at two speeds with the province of Lucca containing the decline to 0.5% and that of Massa-Carrara which plummets to -8.8%. This is according to the analysis of the Statistical Database of the Bank of Italy carried out by the Institute of Studies and Research and the Chamber of Commerce of North-West Tuscany.
In the province of Lucca the decline was more significant among small businesses (-8.8%) and in the construction sector (-16.8%). Financing for productive investments also fell by 4.9%. In contrast, credit to large companies which rises by +1.5% and to those in manufacturing (+0.6%) and services (+0.8%). The picture is different in the province of Massa-Carrara, where credit decreased by -8.8% with negative numbers in all sectors, more accentuated for small businesses -12%. The only positive sign is that relating to financing for investments.
“Despite not having specific skills in the field of credit, as a Chamber of Commerce through tenders for the provision of non-repayable contributions and managerial training programmes, we provide businesses with the necessary tools on a daily basis to face the challenges that arise”
