The development of modern, resilient and sustainable value chains is one of the strategic priorities for Italy, above all in a scenario marked by geopolitical tensions and the effects of the pandemic.
In this context, we invest in three areas of intervention: strategic sectors, transport and logistics hubs, international cooperation for development.
For strategic sectors, we offer an integrated package of loans, advisory services and equity, as a Group, to support dimensional growth and the positioning of businesses in market segments with greater added value and the development of exports and international expansion, also through the operations of SIMEST.
In 2023, we continued to disburse loans linked to sustainability objectives, such as the loan to Intesa Sanpaolo dedicated to future and/or ongoing investments of Italian SMEs and Mid-Caps that will receive further benefits in the case of investments with ESG targets.
On the subject of transport and logistics hubs - networks, sustainable mobility and local public transport, through direct loans as well as advisory services, are of particular importance. In 2023, for example, we funded the modernisation of the Alto Adriatico (Upper Adriatic) Motorway Network with 375 million and the expansion and requalification of Rome ports with 50 million in favour of the Port Authorities of the Central-Northern Tyrrhenian Sea.
The challenge also includes our commitment to an increasingly sustainable supply chain, with some 70% of purchases from suppliers with environmental certification and over 88% of suppliers with social and governance certification.
Lastly, as an Italian financial institution for Development Cooperation, we continue to promote initiatives in developing countries with coordinated action at national and international level, with the aim of providing a significant contribution to the fight against climate change and the sustainable growth of partner countries. To consolidate our capacity to operate in emerging areas that are strategic for our economy, we have opened offices outside the European Union, starting from Belgrade, Cairo and Rabat.