Among the measures provided by the national legislation in favour of internationalisation, those aimed at the integration of Italian companies on foreign markets and the protection of export credits are particularly important.
These measures are entrusted to the management of SIMEST, a company of the Cassa depositi e prestiti Group, which has been supporting the growth of Italian companies since 1991 through the internationalisation of their activities, 76% of which is controlled by SACE and owned by leading Italian banks and business associations. Among the activities carried out are:
- Financing for the internationalisation of SMEs;
- support for export credits for capital goods produced in Italy;
- feasibility studies and investment-related technical assistance programmes;
- participation in fairs, exhibitions and system missions;
- placement programmes on foreign markets;
- technical assistance programmes for the training of SME staff;
In order to know all the financing opportunities, the enterprises can register to the Portal of the facilitated financings. The SACE SIMEST Group has also established the "Education to Export" channel, a tool dedicated to the training of SMEs that want to grow and compete in international markets.
Concessional financing from the Ministry of Economic Development To support the internationalisation of the Italian production system, the Ministry makes available to companies, with particular attention to SMEs, financial benefits from public funds, the management of which is entrusted to SIMEST Spa. The main tools of support towards internationalisation are listed as follows:
- Facilitated financing for feasibility studies and technical assistance programmes in non-EU countries Art. 6, paragraph 2, letter b, of Leg. Decree n. 112/2008, converted from Law no. 133/2008
- Subsidised financing for small and medium-sized enterprises - SMEs - exporters Art. 6, paragraph 2, letter c of Leg. Decree No 112/2008, converted from Law No 133/2008
- Facilitated financing for SMEs for the implementation of promotional initiatives for participation in fairs/exhibitions on non-EU markets Art.6, paragraph 2, letter c, of Leg. Decree n.112/2008, converted by Law n. 133/2008
- Export credit insurance – Leg. Decree. 143/98 Chapter I
- Export credit contributions – Leg. Decree 143/98 Chapter II
- Participation to the capital of foreign companies - Law 100/90
- Interest subsidies - Law 100/90
- Venture Capital Fund- Law 100/90
- Participation to the capital of EU companies– Law 100/90
- Start Up Fund for the internationalisation of the enterprises- Development Law of July 23rd, 2009 n. 99, art.14.