The SEI Project supports Italian SMEs in accessing and consolidating foreign markets through an integrated, data-driven internationalisation pathway.
Promoted by Unioncamere with the Chamber system and Promos Italia, it combines export readiness assessment, market intelligence and tailored services to strengthen sustainable export capacity.
Internationalisation is a strategic lever for growth, competitiveness and resilience, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises. Yet entering foreign markets remains a complex process, requiring skills, preparation and a long-term vision. To address these challenges, the Italian Chambers of Commerce system launched the SEI Project – Sostegno all’Export dell’Italia –, promoted by Unioncamere and the Italian chamber system, with the operational support of Promos Italia.
The SEI Project was conceived with the objective of contributing to the growth of Italian exports by focusing in particular on potential and occasional exporters. Its ambition is twofold: on the one hand, to increase the number of Italian exporting companies; on the other, to strengthen the export volumes and market presence of firms that are already active internationally.
SEI is designed as an integrated support framework for SMEs approaching international markets. Rather than focusing solely on promotion, the project accompanies firms along a structured pathway that combines assessment, training, tailored services and market access tools. Its objective is not only to increase exports in the short term, but to strengthen companies’ capacity to operate sustainably and strategically abroad.
A core component of SEI is its emphasis on export readiness. Through structured diagnostics and analytical tools, the project helps identify firms with concrete international potential, assessing organisational structure, product positioning and strategic orientation. This evidence-based assessment ensures that support measures are targeted effectively, avoiding one-size-fits-all approaches and enhancing the overall impact of public intervention.
A distinctive feature of SEI lies in its strong market-oriented approach, which complements the initial assessment phase. Beyond evaluating export readiness, the project supports companies in identifying the most suitable foreign markets for their specific products, based on in-depth analytical tools. Through advanced analyses grounded in customs and HS codes, SEI enables a granular understanding of international demand, competitive dynamics, market accessibility and trade flows at product level. This allows firms to move beyond generic country selection and focus on markets where their offering has concrete and measurable potential.
Building on this foundation, SEI delivers an integrated programme of information, training, orientation and support services, through the platform www.sostegnoexport.it, designed to equip companies with the tools needed to initiate or consolidate their presence in foreign markets. Services address both strategic and operational dimensions of internationalisation, including market intelligence, contractual and regulatory guidance, digital export tools and cultural preparation. Particular attention is given to helping firms translate market analysis into actionable strategies, aligning product, pricing and market entry models with selected target countries.
SEI leverages the strength of the Italian chamber network, combining local proximity with national coordination. Chambers of Commerce act as first points of contact for enterprises across the country, while Promos Italia ensures methodological consistency, operational quality and access to international networks and specialised expertise.
Now the SEI Project, through the export promoters from local Chambers of Commerce, has already supported more than 10,000 Italian companies, delivering over 67,000 export-related services. These results reflect the project’s capacity to operate at scale while maintaining a tailored, company-centred approach.
What ultimately sets SEI apart is its focus on long-term capability-building and informed market selection, rather than short-term export outcomes. By integrating assessment, advanced market intelligence and structured accompaniment, the project supports SMEs in developing a data-driven and sustainable approach to internationalisation, reducing risks and strengthening their strategic positioning abroad.
In a global environment marked by uncertainty, trade fragmentation and rising competition, initiatives such as SEI demonstrate how public institutions can effectively support SME internationalisation. By combining analytical depth, territorial presence and strategic coordination, the SEI Project contributes to strengthening Italy’s export base and embedding international openness within the fabric of its real economy.