Centro di Studio per l’Applicazione dell’Informatica in Agricoltura (CeSIA): the Center’s aim is to develop research in computer skills targeted at the agri-food and forestry sectors. Its activities are focused on developing technology tools for the design, creation, and updating of GIS-oriented databases, and the development of operational programmes for the protection and management of agroforestry and eco-environmental analysis using GIS and remote sensing. Since its establishment, the Center has been actively involved in several European Union research projects. It also aims at developing initiatives and training opportunities for practitioners and researchers in the environment and land planning sectors, and at promoting international efforts to encourage the creation of a European network of knowledge in these areas.

Federation of Italian Exporters and Importers (FIEI): FIEI promotes the expansion of Italian companies in foreign markets, representing their interests since 1980. It offers and coordinates import–export services through its ten affiliated Export-Import Associations. It also publishes a monthly international market journal and magazines, carrying out studies and research in the area of foreign trade and markets, and it runs an Import Promotion Desk.

Istituto di Servizi per il Mercato Agricolo Alimentare (Ismea): Ismea was set up by a decree in 1999. It aims at supporting the development of the Italian agricultural sector. Various activities previously carried out by different public entities were streamlined and integrated under it. According to the decree, the institution’s main task is to offer financial, insurance and information services to agricultural companies in order to: (i) increase their competitiveness and reduce their risks; (ii) facilitate their relations with banks, insurance companies and markets; and (iii) improve market transparency and information sharing.

Italian Export Credit Agency (SACE): SACE is aimed to help companies in developing foreign business and investments through insurance cover. Formerly an Italian governmental agency, SACE S.p.A. was converted in 2004 into a private corporate entity and incorporated in the Cassa Depositi and Prestiti Group, a financial institution controlled by the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance.

Italian Trade Commission (I.C.E. Istituto Nazionale per il Commercio Estero), is a governmental agency entrusted with promoting trade, business opportunities and industrial cooperation between Italian and foreign companies. It supports the internationalization of Italian firms and their consolidation in foreign markets, and it provides information and assistance to all those foreign companies that wish to develop business with their Italian counterparts. In particular, it provides: (i) the Italian economic outlook (an overview of the fundamentals of the Italian economy) and information on Italian foreign trade and national trade policies; (ii) up-to-date information on Italian laws and regulations to attract foreign investments and give assistance to foreign investors; and (iii) a specialized website dedicated to the major sectors of Italian production. It houses an official directory of Italian companies, which is accessible both by sector and geographical market of interest and gathers offers and requests coming from foreign companies interested in developing business with Italian partners. All submitted requests and offers are stored in a database that can be accessed by sector and market, enabling Italian companies to consider the various proposals.

Foreign companies can also find details of trade fairs and exhibitions held in Italy throughout the year.

National Institute of Statistics (Istat): Istat collects and produces data on the Italian economy and Society, making them available for study and decision-making purposes. A public research body acting in full autonomy, Istat is governed by a president and a board of directors who plan and evaluate its activities. It is very active in international cooperation projects, aiming at strengthening the statistical capacity of transition and developing countries and supporting candidate countries in lining up with the standards of the European Statistical System. At present, Istat’s technical assistance is addressed primarily to the Balkans, the Newly Independent States, EU Candidate Countries and Mediterranean countries, but it also cooperates with countries in Africa (Cape Verde and Mozambique), Latin America and China. The results of these programs are a learning tool for institutional users, businesses, and associations engaged in or interested in these areas.

SIMEST is a finance institution which promotes direct investment by Italian companies outside the European Union. It provides technical and financial support to projects and public support to the international development of the Italian economy. SIMEST is controlled by SACE and is a company of the Cassa Depositi e Prestiti Group.

Italy’s main form of collaboration with UN/international agencies is based on financial agreements with relevant agencies. The financing mechanism is based on grants. Data collection and reporting are based on reports from the implementation agency or from the Italian embassy/cooperation offices network. Monitoring and evaluation reports are obtained from the implementation agency, reports from the Italian embassy/cooperation offices network and monitoring and evaluation missions from headquarters.