FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR ITALIAN COMPANIES TO INVEST IN SOUTH EAST EUROPE BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA- The Italian government has provided a variety of financial instruments in support of the Italian companies that decide to invest in South East Europe. These instruments are managed by the Ministry of Economic Development, by Simest spa and spa Finest.
Simest The spa, in particular, manages the funds directed to:
- build permanent settlements in countries outside the European Union to launch / deployment of new products / services or for the acquisition of new markets;
- achieving feasibility studies for foreign investment;
- implement programs of technical assistance abroad;
- participate in the capital of Italian companies abroad by Simest spa.
In implementing Law 84 of 2001 regulating the Italian participation in the process of stabilization, reconstruction and development of the Balkan countries, is aimed at operating the fund ' microcredit activities in support of business initiatives and forms of association and local co-operatives, credit assistance for the individual amounts up to € 103,291.38, which is entrusted to manage through its subsidiaries Unicredit Unicredit Tiriac Bank, Unicredit Bank and Unicredit Bulbank AD Banja Luka.
The project currently is active in Bulgaria, Romania and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Moreover, in accordance with Law No 84, 2001 became operational two Venture Capital funds.
To date, the areas of greatest interest to the Italian companies which have decided to invest in these areas are:
- textiles and clothing;
- building and construction;
- electro-mechanical and
- chemicals and pharmaceuticals.
The entry of Romania and Bulgaria into the European Union, has removed the opportunity for Italian companies to take advantage of interventions by the Italian, but the same can benefit from the experience and financial support to carry out projects Simest even in EU countries. In this regard, Minister of Economic Development Claudio Scajola issued, January 13, 2010, the guidelines governing the operations of the GL within the spa Simest European Union. Based on these new guidelines the Simest may operate through two types of intervention:
- direct intervention in enterprises in all sectors located within the European Union, including the national territory, which can reach up to 49% capital for a period not exceeding, tentatively, to eight years.
In this case, interventions may also relate to the acquisition and / or management of business operations and priority should be given to small and medium-sized enterprises;
- provision of funding to support the development program and / or project proposed investment by businesses.
Finally, further support to Italian companies for the whole area, including the European Union countries, is related to the facilities granted for the support of export credit.
is in this case for public intervention in the medium term credit granted by Italian exporters to their foreign customers.
Source: Ministry of Economic Development