Mumbai, Dec 12: SIMEST, the CDP Group company dedicated to supporting the international expansion of Italian enterprises, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC), one of India’s oldest and most respected business bodies. The agreement aims to bolster bilateral economic cooperation and unlock new investment opportunities between Italy and India.
The MoU was signed during the Italy–India Business Forum in Mumbai, in the presence of Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani, and India’s Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal. The signatories were Regina Corradini D’Arienzo, CEO of SIMEST, and Dr. Rajeev Singh, Director General of ICC.
According to both organisations, the partnership will strengthen collaboration between Italian and Indian companies through joint initiatives, improved access to business opportunities and targeted support for cross-border investments. The agreement provides for coordinated efforts to promote investment flows using SIMEST’s financial instruments, deepen information sharing on mergers and acquisitions, industrial projects and startups, and establish long-term networks to connect business communities in both countries.
The collaboration is positioned as a key step in enhancing commercial and industrial linkages between Italy and India at a time when both economies are seeking to boost bilateral trade and investment.
In a joint statement, Corradini D’Arienzo and Dr. Singh said, “The signing of this agreement with the Indian Chamber of Commerce confirms SIMEST’s clear commitment to supporting the investments of Italian companies in a key market for Made in Italy such as India, providing them with dedicated financial tools and specialised know-how. The MoU forms part of the wider action of the Italian System led by the Foreign Ministry together with CDP, SIMEST, ICE and SACE, which supports the international expansion of our productive sector and expands opportunities for economic cooperation in countries offering the highest added value for Made in Italy and ICC is happy to partner.”
They added that India has been identified as a priority market in the Italian Foreign Ministry’s Export Action Plan. SIMEST has strengthened its presence in the country by opening an office in Delhi in 2025 and introducing a dedicated measure to promote Italian investments in India.
The agreement is expected to act as a catalyst for new partnerships, industrial ventures and business collaborations, marking a strengthened phase of cooperation between the two nations.
