Brussels, 15/11/2001 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has decided that the measures adopted by Italy to encourage the regularisation of the black economy do not constitute sate aid. The measures offer tax concessions and reductions in social security contributions to all business in Italy that decide to regularise their position by leaving the underground economy. The Commission found that the measures are open to all businesses in all sectors anywhere in Italy, whose identity is not known in advance. They do not introduce any systematic discrimination in terms of either the rules themselves (by identifying specific beneficiaries) or the way they are applied (by conferring discretionary powers on public authorities) and the Commission therefore concluded that the scheme does not involved state aid and can be classed as a general measure.