SIMEST, is the  development finance institution charged with supporting  and promoting Italian  companies activities abroad.
SIMEST was set up as a limited company in 1991. It is controlled by the Ministry of  Economic Development, along with private-sector share-holders which include major Italian banks and industrial business organizations.

SIMEST is a reference point for Italian firms for all aspects related to developing business on international markets.

For foreign investments

• SIMEST, can acquire shares in companies abroad of up to 49% of their capital stock, either by investing directly or through managing shares in venture capital Funds.
• SIMEST‘s participation also provides Italian businesses access to concessions (interest rate support) towards financing their share in foreign companies outside the European Union.

For other activities abroad

• supports export credits for investments goods produced in Italy
• finances pre-feasibility and feasibility studies, and technical assistance programmes
• finances market penetration programmes

SIMEST also provides professional consultancy and technical support services, such as: scouting activities (seeking out opportunities abroad), matchmaking initiatives (locating partners), pre-feasibility/feasibility studies, financial, legal and corporate assistance related to foreign investment projects for which subsequent SIMEST involvement is foreseen.