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"I think the nominal deficit will be below the OECD's forecast," Tria told reporters at a news conference with OECD chief Angel Gurria.
Tria said that in the face of an acute growth slowdown, Italy will not tighten policy to keep the deficit inside a 2.0 percent target agreed with Brussels in December, but would in any case keep control of public finances.
"We will try to improve the structural deficit," which is adjusted for GDP growth fluctuations, he said, adding that Italy is set to adopt a package of stimulus measures to ensure growth this year remains above zero.