Energy costs threaten 881,000 small businesses, 3.5 mn jobs

(ANSA) - ROME, SEP 8 - Soaring energy prices pose a threat to 881,264 small enterprises employing 3.529 million people in Italy, the Confartigianato business association said on Thursday.
    The association representing artisans and small artisan businesses said it had analysed the impact of the "crazy" rise in gas and electricity prices on 43 sectors.
    Confartigianato President Marco Granelli said there was the risk of a "massacre" of businesses.
    The region worst at risk is Lombardy, with 139,000 enterprises employing 751,000 people in peril. (ANSA).