Economic growth is a sustained increase of income and output in an economy.  In 2009, all the countries above had a negative growth in their economy.  Which meant that each countries production was down in some shape or form.  Italy in 2009, experienced a economic contration of -5.1% and this year the economy grew by 1.1%.  Although Italy's economy grew they had the least amount of growth compared to the other countries.  In 2009 Italy's exports were $407.2 billion and in 2010 it was $458.4 billion, which is a growth in exports of  $51.2 billion.  Their world ranking is 8th out of 221 countries.  If I look at Germany for instance,  they had increase in their growth of 3.6% and looking at their export growth they had an increase of $192 trillion, which ranks them at 3rd out of 221 countries.  This direct coralatiion leads me to believe that the reason for the economic growth in Italy is due to increased exports.