03 November, 2025 / Internationalization

SIMEST 2025-2027: a 28 billion boost for internationalization

Q: What tools does SIMEST offer for the internationalization of SMEs?

SIMEST offers a combination of subsidized financing and equity instruments for SMEs looking to expand abroad. The program includes the possibility of acquiring a minority stake in SMEs' capital, with an investment duration of approximately 8 years. Agreements signed with lead companies provide conducted support for SME onboarding and access to financial and insurance instruments. Furthermore, SIMEST focuses on priority markets like Africa, Latin America, and the Gulf Countries, where growth opportunities are significant. Integration with the CDP ecosystem enhances the competitiveness and responsiveness of businesses in international markets.

Q: What is the importance of priority markets in the SIMEST plan?

The priority markets identified in the SIMEST plan, such as Africa, Latin America, and India, represent strategic areas for Italian SMEs. Domestic demand in these markets, combined with public investments and privatizations, creates a favorable context for Italian innovations. Furthermore, the plan provides for an operational package dedicated to the USA, which will be launched in 2026, thus consolidating the Italian presence in the world's leading market. Not only this, but SIMEST's support aims to facilitate companies' entry into these regions through tailored tools. The geographic focus strategy thus allows for the optimization of resources and maximization of results for Italian companies.

Q: Octagona supports businesses in the internationalization process by providing strategic consulting, market research, and operational support to help them expand into new countries.

Octagona offers strategic support to Italian companies in various crucial aspects of internationalization, such as selecting appropriate financial instruments and project eligibility. With operational teams in Europe, the USA, and India, the company assists SMEs with go-to-market strategies and identifying partners and supply chains. Another key aspect is compliance, where Octagona ensures companies adhere to local regulations, such as BIS in India. Furthermore, support extends to practical phases like local project setup and execution, enabling SMEs to operate more efficiently abroad. Synergy with lead firms is fundamental to maximize the value and impact of internationalization projects.

Q: What opportunities does the SIMEST strategic plan offer to companies that are not yet exporters?

The SIMEST strategic plan opens up new opportunities also for supply chain companies that have not yet undertaken export activities. Through supply chain programs and guided onboarding, these companies can access tools and resources designed to facilitate their entry into foreign markets. Specific paths are planned to map export needs and direct companies towards funding opportunities. Thanks to these mechanisms, companies can translate their growth plans into real commercial expansion projects. Furthermore, the availability of operational support for entering priority markets makes this period particularly favorable for taking action.

Summary

The SIMEST strategic plan foresees 28 billion investments for 2025-2027, focusing on SMEs and supply chains to accelerate their internationalization. The tools offered include subsidized financing and equity, with attention to priority markets. Companies now have the opportunity to transform strategies into concrete results.

What changes for businesses
Why get active now
How Octagona supports you

The new SIMEST strategic plan puts on the table 28 billion of investment by 2027, with a concrete focus on SMEs and supply chains: more tools, more markets, more speed of execution. For many Italian companies, it is an opportunity to move from strategy to results, with a perimeter that opens up Also to supply chain companies not yet exporting.

What changes for businesses

Supply chains at the center: Agreements with industry leaders are not just “showcases,” but supply chain programs with guided onboarding of SMEs, mapping of export needs and routing to financial and insurance instruments consistent with growth plans. In recent months, the following have been signed 8 chords for the benefit of 2,000 enterprises (over 70% SMEs), with pathways that include accompaniment to priority markets and operational support for project grounding.
New equity instruments: In addition to subsidized financing, there is the entry minority interest in the capital To support the foreign growth of SMEs (investment horizon about 8 years), with light governance mechanisms and clear industrial objectives (business development, settlements, M&A). For projects infrastructure abroad are possible engagements up to 25 years old, conditional on the involvement of broad supply chains Italian throughout the entire supply chain.
Priority markets: geographical focus includes. Africa (consistent with the Mattei Plan), Latin America, Gulf countries e India, where domestic demand, public investment and privatization open space for Italian technologies and services. A US package operational by beginning 2026 to strengthen export and investment in the world's first market with dedicated tools.
More competitiveness: To close the gaps with international competitors, the following are planned longer payment terms to foreign buyers, a process of leaner evaluation and reduced time between deliberation and disbursement, thanks in part to the standardization of processes and increased integration with the CDP ecosystem.
Presence and proximity: in addition to strengthening the foreign network (open New Delhi; opening Riyadh e New York to garrison India, GCC and the U.S.), arise hub of expertise in the Mezzogiorno - in cooperation with universities and associations-to bring tools and know-how closer to businesses and foster knowledge transfer and access to markets.

Why get active now

The combination of Facilitated finance, equity to support foreign growth, and geographic priorities makes the three-year period the ideal window to scale international presence with risk and time under control. If you operate in the supply chain, or lead it, today you have tools designed custom To turn plans into commercial pipeline.

How Octagona supports you

With our team in Europe, the U.S. and India, we support companies on Eligibility and choice of instruments, go-to-market, partner & supply chain, compliance (Ex. BIS for India), set-up e execution local. We work alongside the chain leaders to maximize leverage along the entire chain.

👉 Request a free pre-assessment of your project and find out which SIMEST tools can accelerate it.
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Frequently Asked Questions

What tools does SIMEST offer for the internationalization of SMEs?

What is the importance of priority markets in the SIMEST plan?

Octagona supports businesses in the internationalization process by providing strategic consulting, market research, and operational support to help them expand into new countries.

What opportunities does the SIMEST strategic plan offer to companies that are not yet exporters?

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