New: from 7 August, the ‘Digital or Ecological Transition’ tool will also be open to non-exporting companies belonging to an internationally oriented supply chain.

In addition, the new ‘Strategic support for the Indian market’ tool will be active from 16 September, and the tools already in place will be expanded with new conditions.

SIMEST subsidised loans strengthen the international competitiveness of Italian SMEs: to increase exports, digitalisation, ESG investments and the solidity of production chains.

9 tailor-made solutions for investments, skills and growth abroad (from e-commerce to trade fairs and the green transition).

Dedicated reserves planned for strategic markets (€200 million per region): Western Balkans, Africa, Latin America, and India.

Access to non-repayable grants for innovative start-ups and SMEs, youth-led businesses, women-led businesses, businesses based in southern Italy, or businesses that meet sustainability requirements, with favourable conditions for energy-intensive businesses and for businesses and supply chains with interests in strategic markets.

Please note that, in order to prevent and combat violations that damage the economic and financial interests of the State and the European Union, companies applying for and receiving subsidised loans from public funds may be subject to verification by the competent authorities at any stage of the relationship.

You can also find our tools on export.gov.it.

For information and support, please contact Customer Care at info@simest.it.

• From 9 a.m. on 7 August 2025, it will be possible to access the Portal to complete and submit funding applications relating to the “Digital or Ecological Transition” instrument.
• From 6 p.m. on 6 August until 9 a.m. on 7 August, the Portal will be offline for updating in preparation for opening, and no operations will be possible.
• From 9 a.m. on 16 September 2025, it will be possible to access the Portal to complete and submit funding applications relating to (i) the new instrument “Strategic support for the Indian market”, (ii) the new dedicated conditions for ‘Competitiveness of Italian companies and supply chains in Central or South America’ and ‘Strengthening African markets’, (iii) the new dedicated conditions for strategic markets for ‘Market entry’, ‘Certifications and consulting’, ‘Trade fairs and events’, ‘E-commerce’, ‘Temporary managers’.
• From 6 p.m. on 15 September until 9 a.m. on 16 September, the Portal will be offline for updating in preparation for opening, and no operations will be possible.

Filling out the request

• For the purpose of filling out the application, it is necessary to (i) attach all the necessary Documentation as per the Circular, (ii) indicate the information of the legal representative, (iii) indicate the information of the beneficial owner of the requesting Enterprise, (iv) upload the contract for opening the dedicated current account, (v) Articles of Association of the enterprise. All documents must be digitally signed.
• In any case, the submission of the application does not imply the right to the deliberation/grant of the intervention, which remains subject to the completeness of the application, the existence of the access requirements, the successful completion of the SIMEST preliminary investigation and the actual availability of financial resources, as well as the positive deliberation by the Facilities Committee.