But Woods said many contracts were being awarded locally even when foreign firms offered a better price or a higher quality bid, and highlighted "complex public procurement procedures, unfair national preference and wavering commitment to competition and market liberalization" as key factors holding back the creation of a competitive and dynamic market.

CNN: EU governments favoring home firms

Monday's announcement by the board of Alitalia that it was accepting a bid by Air France-KLM provoked howls of outrage from politicians and union leaders over the fire sale price being offered, as well as the impact the sale would have on the economy of Milan, the Italian capital of business.

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