“Sviluppo Export”, the new €350 million debt fund for the internationalization of Italian businesses

“Sviluppo Export”, the new debt fund aimed at subscribing bonds issued by unlisted Italian companies – mainly SMEs – pursuing export and internationalization projects, is now fully operating.

Launched at the initiative of SACE (which is also investor) and managed by Amundi Sgr, the Fund has a total capacity of € 350 million and will invest in secured or unsecured, fixed or floating, amortizing or bullet notes.

With “Sviluppo Export” Fund, SACE strengthens its support to Italian exporters with the aim of facilitating the development of alternative sources of financing, such as bonds, during a time of credit crunch.

SACE is also working on new guarantees for bond issues to be subscribed by funds or qualified investors, and it has entered into several memorandum of understanding with other funds and is considering further partnerships in the debt capital market.

“Sviluppo Export” Fund

“Sviluppo Export”, the fund of SACE (CDP Group) reserved to professional investors, has total assets of € 350 million, € 175 million provided by SACE and an equal amount financed by the European Investment Bank for investments guaranteed by SACE. Managed by Amundi SGR, the Fund invests in secured and unsecured fixed-income securities with fixed- or floating-rate coupons and redemption by installments or at maturity, issued by unlisted Italian companies with an export and internationalization calling. Companies in all production sectors, except financial and real estate, are eligible for “Sviluppo Export” Fund investments, for the purpose of financing a broad spectrum of activities related to exporting and internationalization or projects of strategic importance for Italy (acquisitions, mergers or joint ventures, R&D investments in Italy, purchase or renewal of plant and machinery, as well as communication and marketing activities).