by InTrieste
As geopolitical tensions, trade disruptions and rising energy costs continue to challenge businesses across Europe, officials in Friuli Venezia Giulia say they are expanding financial support for local companies seeking to compete abroad.
The commitment was highlighted on Tuesday at a conference in Udine focused on export growth, access to credit and international expansion. The event, titled “De-risking: Geopolitical Challenges and Effective Tools for Growing Abroad,”brought together representatives from industry groups, financial institutions and regional authorities to discuss strategies for navigating an increasingly complex global economy.
Speaking at the headquarters of Confindustria Udine, the regional industry association, Sergio Emidio Bini, the regional councilor for productive activities, said that despite international uncertainties, Friuli Venezia Giulia has maintained strong economic performance, particularly in exports.
The region, located along Italy’s northeastern border and home to a large network of small and medium-sized enterprises, has traditionally relied on international markets as a driver of growth. While manufacturing — especially mechanical engineering — remains a key contributor, officials say export activity is supported by a broad and diversified industrial base.
Bini acknowledged, however, that businesses continue to face significant challenges, including elevated energy prices and ongoing trade tensions.
To address those concerns, the regional government has recently approved a series of measures aimed at improving liquidity and access to financing. Among them is a package worth nearly €15 million designed to help businesses cope with high energy costs. The region has also expanded eligibility for a photovoltaic incentive program to include companies in the service sector.
Additional funding is expected through a July budget adjustment, which would allocate €3 million to the region’s network of credit guarantee consortia, known as Confidi. Combined with other measures, regional officials say total new support for businesses amounts to approximately €20 million.
The conference also served as the occasion for a new agreement between SACE, Italy’s export credit agency, and Finest, a financial institution that supports internationalization projects in northeastern Italy. The two organizations signed a memorandum of understanding intended to strengthen cooperation and expand support for companies pursuing growth opportunities abroad.
According to Luca Di Benedetto, president of Finest, the agreement will allow businesses to combine financing tools offered by Finest with guarantees provided by SACE, potentially improving access to capital and reducing risks associated with foreign investments.
The initiative comes at a time when many European companies are reassessing supply chains, export markets and investment strategies amid shifting global economic conditions. For regions such as Friuli Venezia Giulia, where small and medium-sized enterprises account for the majority of businesses, maintaining access to international markets remains a central economic priority.
Participants at the conference emphasized that public institutions, financial intermediaries and business organizations will need to continue working together to help companies navigate uncertainty while pursuing growth opportunities beyond Italy’s borders.
