SIMEST 'India Package': Export and Investment Programme operational 

It has been active since 16 September 2025 The India Package managed by SIMEST on behalf of MAECI, with the aim of strengthening development and capitalisation of Italian companies with strategic interests in the Indian market.

Who can access

Companies can apply with registered and operational headquarters in Italy, in activity, with at least two budgets deposited, environmentally compliant and in good standing. In addition, they must be in at least one of these 'India-linked' conditions:

1. Investment Plan providing at least the 30% of eligible expenditure in India; or

2. Export to India ≥ 2% of turnover (or stable presence in India, including through a subsidiary); or

3. Import from India (raw materials, components, goods) ≥ 2% of turnover.

Note: sectoral and compliance exclusions are foreseen (e.g. certain agricultural/typical activities, sectors prohibited by EU rules, sanctioned entities, etc.). Checks anti-mafia, environmental and DURC regularity apply throughout the process.

Eligible expenses

A) Investments (capex and operational strengthening)

• Machinery/plants/equipment (including leasing) and new capital goods or conversion of existing ones.

• Technologieshardware, software, digital integration, cybersecurity, analytics, cloud/fog, augmented/virtual reality, robotics, additive manufacturing, AI.

• Efficiency and sustainability (environmental/social improvements).

• New facilities in India (purchase/rental/adaptation) or upgrading of existing facilities.

• Capital Strengthening and capital payments/shareholder loans in favour of subsidiaries.

B) Development-related expenses in the Indian market (up to 40% of the project)

• Training (in Italy or India) and insertion personnel (including travel, entry, regularisation paperwork, medical examinations, uniforms).

• Apprenticeship/traineeship contracts for personnel from India (with constraints on duration/programme).

• Temporary stores, showrooms, corners (also virtual showrooms) and related management costs for a single structure.

• Promotion & marketing (online/offline), market studies, strategic advisory, events/matchmaking, translations.

• Product certifications and approvals (including translations and sustainability/patents).

Pure export/commercial expenses (e.g. sales network, transport, storage), ordinary running costs (e.g. recurring tax/legal advice), expenses already covered by other aid, or related to excluded sectors are not eligible for support.

Benefits provided

• Financing until 6 years to subsidised rate 0.321%

• Non-repayable grant until 10% (until 20% For Innovative SMEs/Start-ups or based in Southern regions)

How Octagona can support you

Thanks to the support of our offices and teams in Indiawe can support you all the way: assessment and eligibility check, project dossier, go-to-market, compliance (incl. BIS certification), set-up and execution local.

Request a pre-assessment of your India project and plan your application with our consultants.

Contact us for more information.