Small, micro and medium-sized enterprises wishing to take their first steps in internationalization have at their disposal a varied package of public and free support and incentive initiatives. The ebook‘Export, a guide to getting started: tools and government services within SME’s reach’ collects them.
The project is coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (Directorate General for the Promotion of the Country System, DGSP). With the support of the Conference of Regions and Autonomous Provinces, ICE, SACE-SIMEST and Unioncamere.
An export guide
The guide aims to introduce SMEs to the path of internationalization. Identify opportunities, understand potential outlets for their goods and the international trade logos(IncoTerms), consider funding opportunities and support programs, get organized.
Internationalization, the ministry points out, can increase the competitiveness of companies and, above all, diversify business risks, reducing dependence on the domestic market alone and the impact of any crises in individual areas. But it is not the case to improvise, nor to delude oneself that a simple ‘merry-go-round’ can work miracles.
The 10 countries to focus on are essentially those already pointed out last decade by analyst Jim O’Neill in his book
The Growth Map
. BRICS and N11. The guide looks at Vietnam, India, South African Republic, Senegal, Russia, Mexico, the Philippines, Qatar, Peru, and the Czech Republic.
Risk prevention is indispensable and cannot be separated from knowledge of their factors. Beyond international market and currency trends, the regulations of destination countries and possible customs barriers should be carefully considered. (1) An overview of the most obvious risks is provided by SACE-SIMEST in the Risk&Export Map, where the risks (monetary, political, economic, etc.) and opportunities related to each country are highlighted. With a summary expressed in the so-called Export Opportunity Index.
5 steps for export takeoff
The document is organized into 5 stages.
1 – Human resources. Training and hiring experts are essential to initiating internationalization paths. For this purpose, free online courses, training meetings, and assistance on customs regulations are offered. As well as subsidized financing to enlist Temporary Export Managers, that is, specialized professionals to accompany the company in its approach to one or more foreign markets.
2 – Know-how. Market research on product trends, assistance in joining ecommerce platforms, and information services on business opportunities and international calls are available.
3 – Economic support. Subsidized financing of various kinds (including grants), credit guarantees and insurance, and debt collection services are some of the measures proposed.
4 – Regional programs. All funding and internationalization support activities are listed for each Region and Autonomous Province, including websites and contacts.
5 – On-site assistance. Finally, the ministerial guide provides a map of the Italian network around the world. 450 facilities including embassies and consulates, ICE and SACE offices, chambers of commerce, Italian cultural institutes. And it is good to learn how to network to get to know local realities and distribution networks, organize meetings and presentations, fairs and whatnot.
All information will be merged into a single portal dedicated to export services. The guide can be downloaded at this link.
Our team is always available for any useful export needs. Strategic consulting and communication as well as technical-legal and regulatory assistance.
Marta Strinati and Dario Dongo
Notes
(1) Some prominent examples in the food sector:
– language requirements for the labeling and online sale of food products in different countries, EU and non-EU (see https://www.foodagriculturere quirements.com/archivio-notizie/domande-e-risposte/e-commerce-quali-notizie-in-quali-lingue-risponde-l-avvocato-dario-dongo)
– Verification of compliance of product composition, with special attention to both compliance with kosher and halal requirements, in the many markets where they apply, and with national food additive legislation (with particular regard to Asian markets)
– Export authorizations (of importance especially for products containing ingredients of animal origin, albeit qualified in the EU as composite products and therefore not subject to the Hygiene 2 regulation (EC reg. 853/04)
– Documentation to be prepared for the purpose of exporting to different markets outside Europe(see, e.g., Iran)
– Name of the food (v. e.g. pasta in Turkey),
– allergens to be considered in different non-EU markets(see, e.g., Japan and Brazil),
– Precautionary Allergens Labelling (PAL), c.d. ‘may contain‘(see e.g. USA, Canada)
Customs barriers may express themselves in higher duties on certain product categories. Knowledge of them may lead to the choice of adjusting their characteristics and presentations, even with a view to the application of different customs codes
Dario Dongo, lawyer and journalist, PhD in international food law, founder of WIISE (FARE - GIFT - Food Times) and Égalité.
Professional journalist since January 1995, he has worked for newspapers (Il Messaggero, Paese Sera, La Stampa) and periodicals (NumeroUno, Il Salvagente). She is the author of journalistic surveys on food, she has published the book "Reading labels to know what we eat".
