Italy's Prime Minister Shifts Recovery Focus to Economic Growth.

ROME -- Ahead of a series of critical meetings with other European leaders, Prime Minister Mario Monti has pledged to introduce measures to revive Italy's long-dormant economy, but is also raising pressure on Europe to shore up the single currency against continued speculative attacks. In an interview on national television on Sunday, Mr. Monti said he would unveil a package of growth-enhancing measures -- in particular, loosening the powers of professional guilds and changing labor laws to encourage hiring and firing -- at a meeting of European Union finance ministers on Jan. 23. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]