Mafia 'gripping Italian economy'

The Italian Mafia allegedly controls one in five businesses

Organised crime controls one business in five in Italy, according to statistics revealed by the country's leading trade association.

A conference organised by the association in Milan said the Mafia controlled about 20% of all businesses and 15% of the country's gross national product..

These businessmen talk a lot at conferences but not to the prosecutor's office

Milan chief prosecutor

It said Mafia profits were being invested in real estate, clinics and retirement homes, supermarkets, hotels and restaurants.

Sergio Bille, the president of Italy's business association, said not enough was being done internationally to combat organised crime.

But Milan chief prosecutor Gerardo d'Ambrosio expressed scepticism about the allegations made at the conference.

"In order to beat the Mafia, we need the co-operation of businessmen, and they don't always give us concrete facts upon which we can act," he said.

"I haven't had a single complaint since I took up my post here - these businessmen talk a lot at conferences but not to the prosecutor's office."