1. ITALIAN MINISTRY OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT The activities of the Ministry of Economic Development supporting Italian SMEs abroad Thessaloniki, 14th May 2010

2. Structure of the Ministry Dept. for industry and internationalization Dept. for industry and internationalization This Dept. includes the Directorate General for International Policies and Trade Promotion. Dept. for economic cohesion Dept. for economic cohesion Dept. for energy Dept. for energy Dept for communications Dept for communications

3. Directorate-General for International Policies and Trade Promotion MISSION To support Italian firms to grow internationally. This is a key factor to build Italian competitive advantage in a globalized world. To support Italian firms to grow internationally. This is a key factor to build Italian competitive advantage in a globalized world. To contribute effectively to the development and success of international cooperation. The participation in this Conference is part of this strategy. To contribute effectively to the development and success of international cooperation. The participation in this Conference is part of this strategy.

4. OBJECTIVES Promoting trade and supporting the internationalization of the economic system Support is aimed mostly at SMEs : they make up 99% of all Italian firms Directorate-General for International Policies and Trade Promotion

5. Italian export firms at a glance Number of firms: 189.392

6. Coordination and guidance of promotional and internationalization activities in Italy Coordination and guidance of promotional and internationalization activities in Italy Coordination and guidance of promotional and internationalization activities abroad, along with the management of financial tools for internationalization Coordination and guidance of promotional and internationalization activities abroad, along with the management of financial tools for internationalization Directorate-General for International Policies and Trade Promotion The Directorate carries out a number of activities which may be divided into:

7. The Italian network to support SMEs’ internationalization

8. Min. Ec. Dev. ICE SACESIMEST Promotion Insurance Finance Finance Regions The network in Italy…. Chambers of Commerce

9. ITALIAN TRADE COMMISSION (ICE -ITC) The Agency of the Ministry of Economic Development entrusted with promoting trade, business opportunities and industrial co- operation between Italian and foreign companies. ITC operates through 17 offices in Italy and 116 branch offices in over 88 countries

10. SACE SACE Export credit insurance, insurance for investment abroad (covering political and commercial risks) SIMEST Financial support to firms for export credit, foreign investment, pre-feasibility and feasibility studies, technical assistance programmes, participation in international tenders, foreign market penetration, participation in the risk capital of start-up or j.v. abroad. Management of special venture capital Funds.

11. …and abroad Embassies (Commercial Offices) - Consulates Embassies (Commercial Offices) - Consulates ICE-ITC ICE-ITC Italian Chambers of Commerce Abroad - IACC Italian Chambers of Commerce Abroad - IACC Others (ENIT, Italian Regional offices, Banks etc.) Others (ENIT, Italian Regional offices, Banks etc.)

12. Promotional Activities of the Directorate General for International Policies and Trade Promotion

13. Guidelines for Promotional Activities Guidelines for Promotional Activities Guidance and monitoring of the ICE-ITC Guidance and monitoring of the ICE-ITC Coordination of all promotional activities Coordination of all promotional activities Missions of commercial diplomacy and “System missions” abroad Missions of commercial diplomacy and “System missions” abroad Co-financing of promotional projects (through direct financing or partnerships) Co-financing of promotional projects (through direct financing or partnerships) Financial support through SIMEST Financial support through SIMEST

14. Guidelines for promotional activities WHAT : Guidelines for “direction and coordination”, issued by the Ministry of Economic Development. On this basis ICE-ITC drafts the Public Promotional Programme WHAT : Guidelines for “direction and coordination”, issued by the Ministry of Economic Development. On this basis ICE-ITC drafts the Public Promotional Programme WHEN : every 3 years  2008-2010 issued in june 2007 and amended yearly, if necessary WHEN : every 3 years  2008-2010 issued in june 2007 and amended yearly, if necessary WHY : develop strategies, methodologies and priorities to coordinate all (public and private) stakeholders interested in supporting the internationalization of the Italian economic system WHY : develop strategies, methodologies and priorities to coordinate all (public and private) stakeholders interested in supporting the internationalization of the Italian economic system

15. Directive Guidelines 2008-2010: Geographical strategy Focus Countries (South Africa, Azerbajan, Kazakhstan Gulf, Mexico, Vietnam, Malesia, Indonesia) Europe, US and Canada, Japan Neighbouring area (Danube/balcanic area – Turkey- Mediterranean region) BRICs (Brazil, Russia, India, China)

16. Sectoral strategy “ Traditional Made in Italy ” sectors “ Traditional Made in Italy ” sectors (food, furniture, fashion, mechanics) Innovative and “focus” sectors (chemicals, farmaceuticals; bio and nanotech; nautic industry; infrastructure and logistics, contract) Innovative and “focus” sectors (chemicals, farmaceuticals; bio and nanotech; nautic industry; infrastructure and logistics, contract) Distribution and merchandising (GDO, franchising, agreements with foreign traders, etc. ) Distribution and merchandising (GDO, franchising, agreements with foreign traders, etc. )

17. System Strategy System Strategy increases the creation of networks with actors working in the internationalization field, commercial missions with follow-up Operating Strategy Operating Strategy Private-Public partnership, aggregation of SMEs and districts to help them deal with international markets, strengthening private participation in public initiatives, network with Universities and Scientific Institutions, stengthening relationships with financial investors, information and communication for firms

18. Special “Made in Italy” Programme WHY : to offer additional resources to strenghten integrated cross-border and cross-sector actions with mid- and long-term effects on exports and investment WHY : to offer additional resources to strenghten integrated cross-border and cross-sector actions with mid- and long-term effects on exports and investment WHAT : “ system missions ” and their follow up, special projects in Focus countries/sectors, special campaigns on media (i.e. “educational” campaign on authentic made in Italy products) WHAT : “ system missions ” and their follow up, special projects in Focus countries/sectors, special campaigns on media (i.e. “educational” campaign on authentic made in Italy products)

19. Direct co-financing of promotional activities Who can apply : non profit Associations, Bodies and Institutes of national relevance, Consortia, Mixed Chambers, Italian Chambers of Commerce Abroad Who can apply : non profit Associations, Bodies and Institutes of national relevance, Consortia, Mixed Chambers, Italian Chambers of Commerce Abroad What we co-finance : the PROJECT What we co-finance : the PROJECT (and not the proposing Associations and bodies)

20. Agreements with REGIONS Since 1995 Since 1995 with all the Regions with all the Regions “Political” Agreement + Yearly proposal for projects co-financed 50%- 50% “Political” Agreement + Yearly proposal for projects co-financed 50%- 50% Projects emerging from the “territory” (“bottom up” approach) Projects emerging from the “territory” (“bottom up” approach) Innovative promotional contents Innovative promotional contents

21. Agreements with sectoral trade Associations With more than 80 Association of different productive sectors (i.e. machineries, fashion, logistics, handicraft, high tech, green energy, etc.) With more than 80 Association of different productive sectors (i.e. machineries, fashion, logistics, handicraft, high tech, green energy, etc.) “Political” Agreement + Yearly proposal for projects co-financed 50%-50% “Political” Agreement + Yearly proposal for projects co-financed 50%-50% Expression of Public-Private Partnership Expression of Public-Private Partnership

22. Agreements with Union of Chambers of Commerce/Association of Italian Chambers abroad Union of Chambers of Commerce/Association of Italian Chambers abroad Trade Fairs & Exhibitions Associations Trade Fairs & Exhibitions Associations Conference of the Chancellors of Italian Universities Conference of the Chancellors of Italian Universities

23. Thank you! Valeria Bernardini Directorate General for International Policies and Trade Promotion Ministry of Economic Development valeria.bernardini@sviluppoeconomico.gov.it valeria.bernardini@sviluppoeconomico.gov.it