Moody's rated Abruzzo as Aa3 as regards future abilities to face debt to investors; the same rating was obtained by Toscana, Marches, Umbria, Latium. The Gross Internal Product in Abruzzo has risen of 1.6% on the average in the period 1994-1998 (compared to +0.8% in the South and +1.1% in the Centre of Italy); per capita income has risen 3.2%, unemployment was in december 1999 9.1% (22% in Southern Italy and 11.1% in Italy). What is lacking is a banking system willing to support the new economic reality.

The 24th edition of the fine festival will be kept from 28 april to 1 may. The exhibition will occupy 1,000 square miles under a wide tent, with fountains and water features organized by clever Enrico Antonio Di Credico. In the agenda also lectures on flower cultivation and arts and crafts exhibition.

180 stands from Abruzzo, Latium, Campania, Marches, Toscana, Umbria and Apulia for the fifth edition of the Agriculture Market in the historical centre from piazza Martiri to largo Madonna delle Grazie.