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BNL and SIMEST team up to support the international expansion of Italian companies

BNL–BNP Paribas Group and SIMEST, Società Italiana per le Imprese all'Estero, have signed an agreement by which, via their respective organisations, they will together support steps taken by Italian companies to expand internationally. The agreement was signed by Fabio Gallia, BNL general manager, and Massimo D'Aiuto, chief executive officer of SIMEST. It will give Italian companies undertaking investment programs and initiatives to set up in markets outside the EU the opportunity to take advantage of specialist and tailored services in countries where BNL operates with its own organization and dedicated professionals.

SIMEST promotes companies' international expansion by taking equity stakes of up to 49% in foreign companies in which Italian companies also hold a stake. It manages the public venture capital fund, advises and assists companies from the outset until completion of their foreign investments.

Backed by its own “Italian desk” network and BNP Paribas Group's major international presence in over 85 countries, BNL supports companies to set up their businesses on foreign markets with her large offer of products and services offered locally (credit lines ; structured finance ; accounts, cash and central treasury management…).
BNL's “Italian desk” offices, which focus exclusively on Italian companies and their foreign branches, are now located in France, Algeria, Tunisia, Turkey, the Persian Gulf, Russia, USA and China. In 2008, the Group plans to expand the network with openings in India and Libya.

In view of Italian companies' existing commercial interests, under the agreement, Algeria, Dubaï and other Gulf countries, Libya, Turkey, India and Vietnam will be treated as high priority countries for mutual presentation of projects and joint support for companies taking steps to expand internationally.

BNL, established in 1913, is a major Italian banking group and one of the best-known brands in Italy. Today it is part of the BNP Paribas Group, European leader of banking and financial services, and one of the 4 leading banks in the world according to Standard & Poor's. The Group operates in over 85 countries in the world with more than 140.000 employees and holds key positions in three large sectors: Corporate and Investment Banking, Asset Management & Services and Retail Bank.
BNL, with approximately 900 branches in Italy, offers a wide range of products and services, from traditional types to the most innovative, to satify its clients' many requirements (private individuals and families, companies and public authorities.

SIMEST S.p.A. is the holding company of the Italian Foreign Trade Ministry, in which leading Italian banks and business associations hold equity stakes. Its mission is to promote growth of Italian companies abroad. The company may invest in foreign companies up to 49% of their equity, both by direct investment and via the venture capital fund. The company also manages financial aid for feasibility, technical support and business consulting studies on behalf of Italian companies, which are taking steps to expand internationally.

Contacts

BNL Media Relations
Francesco Chiurco - Gerardo Tommasiello +39 06 4702.7215-09; press.bnl [at] bnlmail (dot) com

BNP Paribas
Pascal Hénisse +33 1 40 14 65 14