International Monetary Fund and Growth Figure

: The latest growth figures show Italy economy grew 0.3 percent in the first quarter of the year -- that would be a low growth figure for most countries but it cancels out a 0.3 percent contraction in the last three months of last year, and it represents the first time the economy showed positive economic growth for a full quarter since the third quarter of 2013, according to Global Times China. Additionally, the International Monetary Fund, which is usually pessimistic about Italian growth prospects, upped its forecast for full-year growth to 0.7 percent, compared to 0.5 percent previously. The most encouraging figures are related to growth in Italy gross domestic product. If that indeed happens it will be the first time Italy recorded positive economic growth for a full year since 2011. But one thing is missing, according to observers, new investments. "The fact that businesses are slow to hire new workers and invest in new infrastructure or research is what makes me pause," Javier Noriega, chief economist with investment bankers Hildebrandt and Ferrar, told Xinhua. "Businesses know their corner of the market better than any analyst and if they are cautious, it makes me cautious." Giandomenico Piluso, an economics and statistics expert with Italy University of Siena, agreed. "This is a 'dirty' recovery in the sense that it not always possible understand the impacts of what happens," Piluso said in an interview. "My best guess is that what we have seen lately is positive news. There are other positive signs as well: business confidence reached a seven-year high in March, the latest figures available, and consumer spending is inching higher. (news.financializer.com). As reported in the news.