SIMEST “India Package”: export and investment program operational 

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

Who can access

Companies are eligible to apply With registered and operational headquarters in Italy, in activity, with at least two budgets filed, environmentally compliant and in good standing. In addition, they must fall within at least one Of these “India-linked” conditions:

1. Investment plan providing at least the 30% of eligible expenses in India; or

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

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

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

Eligible expenses

A) Investment (capex and operational strengthening)

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

• Technologies: hardware, software, digital integration, cybersecurity, analytics, cloud/fog, augmented/virtual reality, robotics, additive, AI.

• Efficiency and sustainability (environmental/social improvements).

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

• Capital strengthening and capital payments/shareholder financing In favor of subsidiaries.

B) Expenses related to development in the Indian market (up to the 40% of the project)

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

• Apprenticeship/trainee contracts for personnel from India (with constraints on duration/program).

• Temporary stores, showrooms, corners (including virtual showroom) and related management costs for one structure.

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

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

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

Benefits provided

• Financing until 6 years a subsidized rate 0.321%

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

How Octagona can support you

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

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

Contact us for more information.