CR ASTI LOAN FOR SMES AND MIDCAPS AND AGRI

The loan facility will support the intermediary to finance bio-economy value chain projects promoted by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-caps in Italy.

The aim is to enhance access to finance for the target beneficiaries. At least 70% will support SMEs while up to 30% mid-caps.

The loan is expected to support EU policy objectives, notably the modernisation of the agriculture sector and the development of rural areas. It also supports the objectives of the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) 2023-2027 that combines higher environmental, climate and animal welfare ambitions with a fairer distribution of payments, especially to young farmers (YF).

The project will ease constraints on access to finance faced by Italian SMEs mainly acting in the agricultural and bioeconomy sectors. The beneficiaries are affected by structural market failures including lack of track record, insufficient farm net asset value to collateralize and high screening costs for small investments.

In response, the project will enable SMEs and young farmers to benefit from financing with tenors that match the economic life of the investment. It will also provide financial advantage and foster complementarity by encouraging the intermediary to match the EIB's contribution. In doing so, it is expected to mobilize private sector investment and strengthen the long-term sustainability of the agriculture and bioeconomy.

Overall, the project is expected to generate positive externalities by enhancing competitiveness in a strategically important sector both for Italy and the EU.

Final beneficiaries shall be required to comply with applicable national and EU environmental and social legislation, where appropriate.

Final beneficiaries will be requested to comply with applicable national and EU legislation, as appropriate.