G/SCM/N/284/EU/Add.15  
 
25 August 2015  
(15-4286)  Page: 1/9  
Committee on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures  Original: English  
 
 SUBSIDIES 
NEW AND FULL NOTIFICATION PURSUANT TO ARTICLE XVI:1  
OF THE GATT 1994 AND ARTICLE 25 OF THE AGREEMENT  
ON SUBSIDIES AND COUNTERVAILING MEASURES 
EUROPEAN UNION 
Addendum 
The following addendum to the notification of the European Union relates to subsidy programmes 
of Italy . 
 
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 G/SCM/N/284/EU/Add.15 
 
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  ITALY  
 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS 
1   MINISTRY OF ECON OMIC DEVELO PMENT .................................................................... 3  
1.1   Soft loans facilitating permanent industrial and commercial establishment in non-EU 
countries ..................................................................................................................... .... 3 
1.2   Extraordinary intervention in the South of Italy (MAP 4) .................................................. 4  
1.3   Female En trepreneurs ................................................................................................ 4  
1.4   New Sabatini ............................................................................................................  5 
1.5   CONTRATTI DI SVILUPPO ........................................................................................... 6  
2   AGRICULTURE SUBSIDIES ........................................................................................... 7  
 
  
 G/SCM/N/284/EU/Add.15 
 
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  1  MINISTRY OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 
1.1  Soft loans facilitating permanent indust rial and commercial establishment in non-EU 
countries 
1. Title of the subsidy programme 
 
Revolving credit facility for the internationalisation of companies.  
2. Period covered by the notification 
 
2011 – 2014.  
3. Policy objective and/or purpose of the subsidy 
 
a. Facilitate the market penetration of Italia n companies by helping them to create stable 
industrial and commercial facilities in non-EU countries (such as offices, a store, showrooms 
etc.) 
 
b. Carry out prefeasibility and feasibility studies on Italian investments in non-EU countries as 
well as the related technical assistance programmes. 
 4. Background and authority for the subsidy 
 Loans awarded under Law no. 394/81, art. 2 (above a) and under Legislative Decree no. 143/98, art. 22 (5) (above b) up to the year 2009, included. Law 133/08, art. 6 (2) letter a and letter b 
repealed and substituted the before-mentioned provisions. No changes were made concerning the 
mechanism regulating the revolving credit facility. However loans shall fall within the rules set out in the EU De Minimis Regulation. Granting institution: SIMEST S.p.A. 
 
5. Form of the subsidy 
 Soft loan. 
 
6. To whom and how the subsidy is provided 
 
a. Beneficiaries are industrial, trading and services companies. SMEs have priority eligibility on 
the funds allocated. The maximum level of fund ing is fixed at 85% of the total budgeted 
expenses. The beneficiary shall provide guarante e. The loan is paid on the basis of the 
project implementation schedule and upon pr esentation of documents showing the costs 
incurred. Reimbursement is spread over up to seven years: two years of pre-amortisation during which only interests are due and five years of capital payment due in six-month equal instalments. Interest rate is fixed and equal to 15% of the reference rate. The subsidised 
rate cannot be lower than an annual rate of  0.50% and currently amounts to 40% of the 
reference rate. 
 
b. Beneficiaries are industrial, trading and services companies. SMEs have priority eligibility on 
the funds allocated. Financing covers up to 100% of the budget proposal. The beneficiary shall provide guarantee. The loan is paid in two instalments: an advance payment equal to 
70% of the sum granted and a final settlement. Reimbursement is spread over five years: 
two years of pre-amortisation during which only  interests are due and three years of capital 
payment due in six-month equal instalments. Interest rate is fixed and equal to 15% of the reference rate. The subsidised rate cannot be lower than an annual rate of 0.50% and 
currently amounts to 40% of the reference rate. 
 7. Subsidy per unit or, in case this is not possible, the annual amount budgeted for the subsidy 
 Year 2011:   € 91.8 million for type a (average amount per unit € 891,000).    € 2.0 million for type b (average amount per unit € 182,000). 
 
Year 2012:   € 107.7 million for type a (average amount per unit € 835,000).    € 2.5 million for type b (average amount per unit € 132,000). G/SCM/N/284/EU/Add.15 
 
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  Year 2013:   € 142.9 million for type a (average amount per unit € 835,000). 
   € 2.8 million for type b (average amount per unit € 127,000).  Year 2014:   € 110.1 million for type a (average amount per unit € 792,000). 
   € 1.4 million for type b (average amount per unit € 93,000). 
 8. Duration of the subsidy  
 No final term is established.  9. Statistical data permitting an assessment of the trade effects of the subsidy 
 Not relevant: the measure is not specific and it is notified for the sake of transparency.  
1.2  Extraordinary intervention in the South of Italy (MAP 4) 
1. Name of the subsidy scheme and legal basis 
 
Law n. 488/92 Art. 1, section 2, (re-financing of Law n. 64/86), concerning Extraordinary 
intervention in the South of Italy.  2. Form of the subsidy 
 Grant.  
3. Subsidy per Unit or, in case this is not possi ble, the global amount of subsidies distributed 
in 2009 and 2013 
 
Year 2013:  5,64 Million Euros. 
Year 2014:  Data are not yet available.  4. Policy objective and/or purpose of the subsidy 
 Providing aid to entrepreneurial acti vities in the disadvantaged areas. 
 
5. Duration of the subsidy 
 
No final term is established. 
 
6. Statistical data permitting an assessment of the trade effects of the subsidy 
 Not relevant: the measure is not specific and it is notified for the sake of transparency. 
 
7. Indicate to whom and how the subsidy is paid 
 
(A) Beneficiaries are extractive and manufacturi ng enterprises and related service companies. 
(B) Contributions are paid under the EU amount li mits in favour of the disadvantaged areas and 
they are erogated every 4 months. 
 
1.3  Female Entrepreneurs 
1. Name of the subsidy scheme and legal basis 
 
Law n. 215/92 - Female Entrepreneurs. 
 2. Form of the subsidy 
 Grant. Interest subsidy. 
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  3. Subsidy per Unit or, in case this is not possi ble, the global amount of subsidies distributed 
in 2009 and 2013 
 
Year 2013:  0,003 Million Euros. 
Year 2014:  Data are not yet available. 
 4. Policy objective and/or purpose of the subsidy 
 (A) Promotion of new female activities in different  fields (industry, agriculture, trade, services 
and handicraft); 
(B) Promotion and development of ne w qualified female entrepreneurs. 
 
5. Duration of the subsidy 
 
No final term is established. 
 6. Statistical data permitting an assessment of the trade effects of the subsidy 
 Not relevant: the measure is not specific and it is notified for the sake of transparency.  7. Indicate to whom and how the subsidy is paid 
 (A) Beneficiaries are SME's owned by females operating in different sectors: industry, 
agriculture, trade, handicraft and services: in case of a capital society, majority has to be 
owned by females; in case of personal soci ety, 60% of partners have to be females. 
 (B) Ministry of Industry concedes contribution in a variable measure (from 15% up to 65% in 
ESL) depending on geographical location of the enterprises. Contribution is erogated in two 
tranches: the first, equivalent to the 40% of the contribution, during the realisation of the 
project; the second when the project is completed. 
 
1.4  New Sabatini 
1. Title of the subsidy programme 
 
New Sabatini – ex article 2, D.l. 69/2013, loan guarantee scheme (interest subsidy) for machinery 
and equipment purchase, transformed with modifications by Law 9th August 2013, n. 98. 
 
2. Period covered by the notification 
 
Until 31th December 2020. 
 
3. Policy objective and/or purpose of the subsidy 
 
The guarantee loan scheme is oriented, in a general way, to improve the competitiveness of Italian 
production system by facilitating the access to credit for the SME for the purchase on new 
machineries, plants and equipment. Purpose of th e guarantee subsidy is specifically to reduce 
SMEs credit crunch and to contrast the consistent reduction of the level of investments in fixed 
capital assets. 
 4. Background and authority for the subsidy 
 
The subsidy scheme is been introduced with the following normative acts: 
 ‐  Article 2 Law-Decree 21th June 2013, n. 69; 
‐  Interministerial Decree 27th November 2013; 
‐  Ministerial provision (Circolare) 10
th February 2014, n. 4567 (terms and procedure for the 
applications); 
‐  Ministerial provision (Circolare) 26th March 2014, n. 10677 (further instruction for the 
implementation of the measure); 
‐  Ministerial provision (Circolare) 24th December 2014, n. 71299 (modifies the Ministerial 
provision 10th February 2014 n. 4567). G/SCM/N/284/EU/Add.15 
 
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  The managing authority of the subsidy is the Ministry of economic development (MiSE). 
 5. Form of the subsidy 
 
Interest subsidy. 
 6. To whom and how the subsidy is provided 
 Subsidy for all the SMEs firms works as follows:  a) Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (Cdp) has establishe d a plafond of resources that banks that have 
joined the agreement signed between MiSE -ABI-Cdp or leasing companies can use for 
providing to SMEs, until the 31
th of December 2016, loans with an amount range 
between 20.000 and 2 million euro for the investments allowed by the scheme; 
b) MiSE grants a subsidy in favour of the SMEs, that partially covers firms interests on the bank 
loans aforementioned, justified by the investme nts undertaken. The subsidy is equal to the 
amount of interests, computed on the basis of a biannual depreciation, at a 2,75% annual 
rate for five years; 
c) SMEs can benefit from the guarantee of th e SMEs National guarantee Fund on the bank 
loan, within the in force normative legal boundaries (80% of the amount of the loan). 
 
7. Subsidy per unit or, in case this is not possible, the annual amount budgeted for the subsidy 
 
In force of Law 23th December 2014, n. 190, the 2014-2021 total amount budgeted for the 
subsidy, that grants partially the interest on bank  loans, initially fixed in 191,5 million euro, is now 
increased to 385,8 million euro.  
8. Duration of the subsidy 
 
Six years.  
9. Statistical data permitting an assessment of the trade effects of the subsidy 
 
The grant is not directly dealing with trade but can only eventually imply an indirect effect on 
trade. Statistical data will not permit any assessment on the eventual presence of a trade-effect. 
 1.5  CONTRATTI DI SVILUPPO 
1. Title of the subsidy programme 
 
Contratti di sviluppo, article 43 D.l. 25th June 2008, n. 112, transformed with modifications by 
Law 6th of August 2008 n. 133. 
 
2. Period covered by the notification 
 
Extension of the period until 31th December 2020. 
 3. Policy objective and/or purpose of the subsidy 
 Contratti di sviluppo represent the main subsidy for supporting strategic and innovative investment projects that have a relevant impact on the territory. Subsidy purpose is to facilitate sectorial requalification, develop production chains and/or specialization poles, enhancing the competitive 
positioning of traditional sectors and attracting foreign investments.  
 4. Background and authority for the subsidy 
 Initially introduced by Decree 24
th of September 2010, it has been reformed during 2014 in force 
of the article 3 of D.L. 21th of June 2013, n. 69. This reform has been implemented by Ministerial 
Decree 14th of February 2014 that has introduced new procedural simplifications and extended the 
measure to projects dealing with environment protection. With the following Ministerial Decree 9
th of December 2014 all the normative structure has been suited to the new Regulation CE 
n. 651/2014. G/SCM/N/284/EU/Add.15 
 
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  The managing authority of the subsidy are the Mi nistry of economic development (MiSE) and the 
in-house firm Invitalia S.p.a.  5. Form of the subsidy 
 The aid can take the form of grant, soft loan and interest subsidy.  
6. To whom and how the subsidy is provided 
 
All national and foreign firms can potentially benefit from the subsidy. The eligibility criteria concerns a minimum amount (cut-in) of investment variable from 7,5 to 20 million euro, on the 
base of the primary sector involved. Contratto di sviluppo must imply one or more investment 
projects and, eventually, also R&S&I projects. It applies to areas under Regional State Aid 
Regulation and in the other parts of the country if  the investment projects are presented by SMEs 
or if the program concerns environment protection.  
 7. Subsidy per unit or, in case this is not possible, the annual amount budgeted for the subsidy 
 Total amount budgeted for the subsidy, with na tional and European resources, is close to 
1,4 billion euro for the entire period (2014-2020). The measure according to the new modifications is not yet opened. 
 
8. Duration of the subsidy 
 
Four years. 
 9. Statistical data permitting an assessment of the trade effects of the subsidy 
 The grant is not directly dealing with trade but can only eventually imply an indirect effect on trade. Statistical data will not permit any assessment on the eventual presence of a trade-effect.  
2  AGRICULTURE SUBSIDIES 
1. Title of the subsidy programme, if relevant, or brief description or identification of the 
subsidy 
 
Export refunds on agricultural products.  
2. Period covered by the notification 
 
EAGF expenditures and revenues relating to export  refunds on agricultural products are paid and 
reported during every financial year "N" beginning on 16 October of year "N-1" and ending on 
15 October of year "N", as to article 39 of Regulation (EU) 1306/2013.  
 3. Policy objective and/or purpose of the subsidy 
 The purpose of export refunds is to cover the di fference between EU prices and international trade 
prices. Even though the rates have currently been fixed to "0", the new CAP 2014-2020 regulatory 
framework confirms the said subsidy as a safeguard measure to prevent any market disturbance 
or exceptional circumstances which may occur.   4. Background and authority for the subsidy (including identification of the legislation under 
which it is granted) 
 In the CAP framework, Article 196 of Regulation  (EU) 1308/2014 provides for the granting of 
export refunds for some agricultural products. Article 3 and 4 of Regulation (EU) 1306/2013 fixes 
the rule on the financing of the said EAGF measure. S.A.I.S.A. (Independent Office for Interventions in the Agricultural Sector) is accredited at national level as the Paying Agency 
responsible with the disbursement of expo rt refunds on agricultural products.  
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  5. Form of the subsidy (i.e., grant, loan, tax concession, etc.) 
 
Export refunds are subsidies granted to exporters.   
6. To whom and how the subsidy is provided 
 
Subsidy is paid to exporters of agricultural products to third countries. Refund rates are the same 
for the whole of the European Union; a differential may be applied according to destination or 
time. The amount of the refund is periodically fixed by the Commission and the rate is different according to the sector and the agricultural prod ucts' characteristics. In the case of specific 
situations, the refund may be fixed in advance.  
 
7. Subsidy per unit, or in cases where this is not possible, the total amount or the annual 
amount budgeted for that subsidy (indicating, if possible, the average subsidy per unit in the 
previous year). Where provision of per unit subsidy information (for the year covered by the 
notification, for the previous year, or both) is not possible, a full explanation 
 
GROSS EXPENDITURE BY SECTOR / FINANCIAL YEAR 
Budget Item Sector Description 2012/2013 2013/2014 
05020101 1-10-
11 Cereals, processed grains and feed 0.000 2,458,299.88 
05020201 2 Rice 0.000 6,484.18 
05021504 -05021505 3-4 Eggs and poultry 745,426.35 65,004.29 
05021301 - 05021304 5 Beef, live animals 167,768.02 350.38 
05021501 6 Pork meat 2,298,166.22 17,051.30 
05021201 7 Dairy products 20,073.75 14,954.61 
05020699 8-20 Olive oil and oil for canned products 366,335.20 115,269.00 
05020501 9 Sugar 0.00 0.00 
05020801–05020899 
(*) 12-13 Fresh and Processed fruit and 
vegetables (*) 1,185,835.31 10,856.11 
05020300 14 Goods not included in Annex 1 2,273,722.04 17,049.73 
05020999 15 Wine 0.00 0.00 
05021199 17 Tobacco 0.00 0.00 
67020000  Amounts paid and recovered (frauds/ 
irregularities) 81,540.45 4,873.01 
Total 7,138,867.34 2,710,192.49 
(*) = The expenditure for 2013 only covers budget item 05020801 (processed fruit and vegetables). 
8. Duration of the subsidy and/or any other time limits attached to it, including date of 
inception/commencement 
 
The duration of the subsidy is periodically fi xed by the Commission by means of appropriate 
implementing regulations.   
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  9. Statistical data permitting an assessment of the trade effects of the subsidy 
 
Our Paying Agency stores statistical data but they don't permit an assessment of the trade effects of the subsidy due to the fact that refund rates are variable and sometimes equal to zero. The 
introduction of export refunds depends on markets' fluctuation. 
  
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