Renzi says message of 'hope' for Italy from British business

Premier meets senior bankers, investors in London, asks advice

(ANSA) - London, April 2 - Premier Matteo Renzi said he heard a message of "hope" from business and financial leaders interested in investing in Italy during meetings in London Wednesday. "There is a great demand for Italy in this country and I think this is a message of real hope here in London," Renzi said after meeting representatives of banks and financial groups at the Italian Embassy in London.

"There are many people who want to invest in Italy and I believe this is not only in England, but (from investors) all over the world," added Renzi, who met Tuesday with Prime Minister David Cameron and later, with former British prime minister Tony Blair. "We must be able to attract this money flow," added the premier, who met with a group including Bob Dudley, chief executive officer of energy giant BP, Vittorio Colao, CEO of Vodafone Group, Win Bischoff, chairman of Lloyds Banking Group, Garrett Curran, CEO of UK operations for Credit Suisse, and the presidents of the London Stock Exchange and the British Bankers Association. Renzi said he also asked the business representatives for their advice on what Italy must do to attract investment and the jobs this could bring.

Since he became premier in February, Renzi has embarked on a whirlwind of reforms aimed at boosting the country's sluggish economic growth and reducing an unemployment rate that has hit a record 13%.