Octagona/Internationalization News/SIMEST “India Package”: export and investment program operational 
SIMEST “India Package”: export and investment program operational 

SIMEST “India Package”: export and investment program operational 

TLDR
  • Il Pacchetto India, gestito da SIMEST per conto del MAECI, è attivo dal 16 settembre 2025 per le imprese italiane con interessi strategici in India.
  • Per accedere servono sede in Italia, due bilanci depositati e almeno una condizione India-linked: 30% di spese in India, oppure export o import verso l’India pari ad almeno il 2% del fatturato.
  • The costs are divided into investments (machinery, technologies, facilities in India, patrimonialization) and development costs in the Indian market, which account for up to 40% of the project.
  • Sono esclusi i costi di pura esportazione come rete vendita, trasporto e stoccaggio, le spese correnti ordinarie e quelle già coperte da altri aiuti.
  • The financing lasts up to 6 years with an advantageous interest rate of 0.321%, with a non-refundable fund of up to 10%, which rises to 20% for SMEs, innovative start-ups and companies from the Southern regions.
Index

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Quali requisiti deve avere un’impresa italiana per accedere al Pacchetto India di SIMEST?

L’impresa deve avere sede legale e operativa in Italia, essere attiva, con almeno due bilanci depositati, in regola sul piano ambientale e con i requisiti di onorabilità. Deve inoltre soddisfare almeno una condizione India-linked: piano con almeno il 30% di spese ammissibili in India, oppure export o import dall’India pari ad almeno il 2% del fatturato.

Che cosa significa essere un’impresa India-linked nel Pacchetto India SIMEST?

Essere India-linked significa avere un legame dimostrabile con il mercato indiano. Basta una di tre condizioni: un piano di investimenti con almeno il 30% di spese ammissibili in India, un export verso l’India pari ad almeno il 2% del fatturato (o una presenza stabile in India, anche tramite controllata), oppure un import dall’India di materie prime, componenti o beni pari ad almeno il 2% del fatturato.

Which investment and commercial development expenses can be financed under the India Package?

The investments cover machinery, plants and equipment, including leasing; technologies such as software, cybersecurity, AI and robotics; efficiency and sustainability; new facilities in India; and the strengthening of the parent companies’ balance sheets. Development expenses in the Indian market, up to 40% of the project, include training, personnel, showrooms, marketing, market research, certification and product homologation.

Which expenses are not eligible for financing under the India SIMEST Package?

Expenditures related to pure export or commercial activities are not eligible, such as sales network, transport and storage. Ordinary current costs are also excluded, for example recurring tax or legal advice, expenses already covered by other aid, and those related to excluded sectors, such as certain agricultural and fishing activities or sectors prohibited by EU regulations.

What benefits does the India Package offer and what is the financing rate?

The India Package provides financing for up to 6 years at an interest rate of 0.321%. This is supplemented by a grant contribution of up to 10%, which increases to 20% for SMEs and innovative start-ups or for companies based in the regions of the South.

Come può una consulenza specializzata aiutare un’azienda a presentare domanda per il Pacchetto India?

Un consulente con team in India può seguire l’azienda dalla verifica di ammissibilità alla realizzazione locale del progetto. Octagona, ad esempio, offre assessment, dossier di progetto, go-to-market, compliance inclusa la certificazione BIS, set-up ed execution in India. È disponibile anche una pre-valutazione del progetto prima della candidatura.

SHARE ARTICLE Sassy Social Share

If you want to learn more about the content of this article

RECENT ARTICLES

Special Valuation Branch in India: why customs and international logistics affect the profitability of companies

Special Valuation Branch in India: why customs and international logistics affect the profitability of companies

Cos’è la Special Valuation Branch in India? La Special Valuation Branch, generalmente indicata con l’acronimo SVB, è una struttura specializzata...
Spain 2026: why it is growing faster than the Eurozone and how to position Made in Italy

Spain 2026: why it is growing faster than the Eurozone and how to position Made in Italy

Spagna 2026: i numeri chiave  PIL 2026: +2,4% secondo la Commissione Europea;  PIL Eurozona 2026: +0,9%;  PIL Q2 2026: +0,7%...
World trade 2026: how AI, energy and geopolitics are reshaping exports and the supply chain for Italian companies

World trade 2026: how AI, energy and geopolitics are reshaping exports and the supply chain for Italian companies

Il commercio mondiale nel 2026: quali sono i principali trend e dati di crescita?  Secondo i dati consolidati nel Global...

Form of
contact

Are you interested in our service?
Fill out the form or contact us at
+39 059 9770184