Italy has agreed on several new measures of using COVID-19 recovery funds to help boost its economy.

The Council of Ministers under Prime Minister Mario Draghi approved measures for tourism, digitalisation and people with disabilities on Wednesday evening, the government had announced.

The ministers on the issue of tourism agreed on a $2.78 billion package in the decree.

Among other things, the government plans to use the money to promote digitalisation in the industry and to support businesses, for example through subsidies for modernising accommodation or tax credits.

It said part of the decree was to help about 70 per cent of Italians to be “digitally fit”, for most citizens to be able to complete certain administrative procedures online.

Italy was the first European country to be badly affected by the pandemic and received around $222 billion worth of aid from the EU for its post-pandemic recovery.

Together with national funds, Italy has about $257.76 billion to invest in specific areas according to a plan agreed with the EU.

(dpa/NAN)