The Facilitation Committee, chaired by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, has today approved a new scheme managed by SIMEST to support exporting companies impacted by the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz. The scheme mobilises up to EUR 800 million under Fund 394/81, with the possibility of applying for non-repayable grants of up to 20%, rising to 30% for SMEs. It also introduces more favourable terms, including an increase in the advance disbursement from 25% to 50% and an extension of loan maturity from 6 to 8 years.
Companies that have been adversely affected by rising energy costs or by a reduction in turnover or cash flow linked to the crisis will be eligible to apply for funding of up to EUR 5 million. The SIMEST applications portal will be open from 25 May 2026 until 31 December 2026.
During the meeting, 402 subsidised loans were approved to support the internationalisation of Italian companies, with a total value of EUR 209 million. These funds will benefit 386 Italian companies engaged in expanding their exports abroad, both in high-potential and mature markets, as well as in investments related to digital and green transition, participation in international trade fairs, market entry initiatives, the recruitment of temporary export managers and the development of new e-commerce platforms.
Support for internationalisation through geographic instruments also continues: the “USA Scheme”, with EUR 22.3 million allocated to 45 initiatives, remains particularly attractive to businesses. Significant results have also been recorded under the “Africa Scheme” (EUR 18.1 million for 13 operations) and the “Latin America Scheme” (EUR 4.9 million for 6 projects), confirming a growing focus on high-potential markets for Made in Italy.
As regards export support measures under Fund 295/73, two major buyer credit operations in the cruise sector were approved, with contracts worth approximately EUR 950 million, alongside six supplier credit operations totalling nearly EUR 10 million. The approved measures cover the metallurgical, mechanical, textile and environmental technology sectors, across a range of markets including Saudi Arabia, India, Egypt and Colombia, as well as Europe.
