Since the beginning of the crisis, exports have had a much higher growth dynamic than domestic demand, contributing significantly to business turnover. The further growth of Italian exports will be crucial in the coming months to reverse the downward trend of GDP and to relaunch the country-system. UniCredit International fits into this scenario, the new line of services dedicated to the internationalization of companies, which is developed with concrete tools for the customer and which leverages the uniqueness of the UniCredit network in the world. With UniCredit for Italy, launched last March, UniCredit had already set itself the goal of accompanying 15.000 companies abroad in three years. After six months, 4.000 companies have already had the bank's support to operate abroad. The new goal, at this point, becomes more ambitious: to reach 20.000 companies.
The new project was presented today in Rome by Gabriele Piccini, Country Chairman of UniCredit Italy, during a round table attended by Roberto Nicastro, General Manager of UniCredit, Riccardo Monti, President of ICE, Paolo Zegna, Vice President of Confindustria and Giorgio Guerrini, President of RE.TE. Italy companies. "After having invested in the creation of one of the main international banking networks - said Roberto Nicastro, General Manager of UniCredit - we are now reinforcing our commitment to unload this potential for the benefit of Italian exporters".
UniCredit International is founded on four pillars:
1. Knowledge of the markets:
– Market orientation, with the East Gate and China Destination initiatives, in-depth meetings, with experts and consultants, for companies interested in the markets of Central-Eastern Europe, China or other countries with strong potential for Italian exports;
– Export Business School training courses, held by UniCredit experts and university professors for entrepreneurs and managers who wish to enrich their knowledge of export dynamics. The orientation and training initiatives take place in several stages throughout the country, with a program of over 20 events and 40 courses over three years.
2. Search for business counterparts abroad:
– UniCredit International portal (www.unicreditinternational.eu), a single entry point to all our services in support of clients' international expansion, ranging from the choice and analysis of the markets to which to export to the identification and contact of potential customers and partners abroad. The portal services are available to all customers through the UniCredit internet banking platform;
– Business to Business events, for direct meetings between Italian exporters and foreign importers, selected and invited to Italy by UniCredit. 40 events are scheduled over three years, which will take place throughout Italy, on the main lines of "Made in Italy".
3. New dedicated products, which enrich the range of tools intended for companies operating abroad, such as for example:
– New package accounts, Imprendo PMI Europe and International, with concessions on domestic and foreign transactions and a mechanism of decreasing prices based on the number of transactions;
– New EasyCredOK letter of credit for companies that purchase goods abroad and want a more secure means of payment than traditional wire transfers, but with a more streamlined cost structure than traditional letters of credit;
– New loans for internationalization, with SACE guarantee, for companies that have investments in the pipeline for international expansion
4. Specialized consultancy in Italy and abroad:
– New network of 200 UniCredit International Specialists who support UniCredit Business Consultants as a point of reference for all customers in their needs related to business abroad;
– Network of 22 International Desks, a true operational outpost for customers in all countries where UniCredit has a bank. In addition, a dense network of foreign branches, representative offices and collaboration agreements with foreign banks guarantee service to customers in the 50 main countries of the world.
