In a new statement addressed to the President of the Region, the regional associations Confindustria and Confapi reiterated the urgent need for intervention by the regional government to "resolve the unstoppable increase in freight transport costs incurred by businesses."

In addition to the already reported negative impacts that the European Maritime Emissions Trading System (ETS) directive is having on the island's businesses, the increase in fuel costs resulting from the conflict in the Middle East in recent weeks is further exacerbating the disparity and unsustainability experienced by the regional economic system.

"All goods and products travelling by sea to and from Sardinia – we read in a note – have now consolidated a higher cost for transport which, from this month of June, will exceed 44% . This additional expense, increased by the high fuel prices and the upcoming entry into force of the ETS2 , is reverberating on transporters, businesses and, inevitably, on the final consumer with devastating inflationary effects for the island's economy."

The loss of competitiveness of Sardinian businesses risks being irreversible: "For over a year, trade associations have been reporting that strategic sectors for Sardinia, such as manufacturing, stone, agri-food, logistics, and transportation, are now operating under conditions of inconceivable difficulty compared to other Italian and European regions , which, however, have already implemented support and compensation tools for their businesses (the Sicily Region, for example, in recent weeks allocated 30 million euros to cover the increased transportation costs for their businesses)."

Also in view of the imminent first budget amendment, Confindustria Sardegna and Confapi Sardegna have communicated that "the adoption of the economic and regulatory instruments necessary to mitigate the unstoppable increase in freight transport costs to and from Sardinia is now urgent and cannot be postponed."

(Unioneonline/AD)

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