Five Italian regions request extension of SME guarantee fund

Five northern Italian regions, including Emilia-Romagna, Liguria, Lombardia, Piemonte, and Veneto, have formally requested that the Italian government extend the SME guarantee fund beyond its current expiration date of December 31, 2026.

In a joint letter addressed to Economy and Finance Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti and Business and Made in Italy Minister Adolfo Urso, regional economic development assessors argued that the instrument has successfully maintained credit access and supported investments in innovation, digital and energy transitions, and international competitiveness. The proposal follows discussions with the Italian Banking Association regarding strategic priorities for the manufacturing sector. The regions emphasized their role as Italy's industrial engine, noting that their territories account for the majority of national industrial production and over half of the country's exports.