The government is working on the package of industrial policy measures to be included in the next budget. The interventions could arrive with the budget bill and with a related decree law, both expected in October. The dossier concerns various chapters: from the Transition 5.0 plan to the Special Economic Zone, from the possible renewal of the household appliance bonus to the reorganization of the former Ilva. Some measures could be defined immediately, others postponed to the parliamentary process through amendments by the government or the majority.
Transition 5.0, possible refinancing
On the Transition 5.0 plan there would not be an immediate resource emergency, but the increase in bookings on the GSE platform could make refinancing necessary. The government is also considering an extension of the current programme, which currently covers investments made until 30 September 2028. The objective is to give more certainty to companies that need to plan investments in innovation, digitalisation and energy efficiency. The latest data cited by the Minister of Business and Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso, indicate 20 thousand requests and projects for approximately 6 billion euros of planned investments.
Single SEZ, request for 4 billion
Another chapter concerns the Single Special Economic Zone. On the table is the refinancing of the tax credit for investments in the current perimeter, which includes the regions of Southern Italy, plus Umbria and Marche. The undersecretary for the South, Luigi Sbarra, asks for at least the same level envisaged in the last budget: 4 billion euros on a three-year basis.
An extension to the Centre-North is also being evaluated, but limited to bureaucratic simplification procedures. The hypothesis is to avoid the expansion of the tax bonus so as not to open a confrontation with the European Union and so as not to have to find higher coverage.
Appliance bonus towards renewal
Among the measures under study there is also the possible renewal of the appliance bonus. The previous version, launched by Mimit with a budget of 50 million euros, was sold out in a few hours. The new incentive could arrive during the conversion into law of the measure, therefore not necessarily in the initial text. The measure runs in parallel with the possible confirmation of the furniture and appliance bonus linked to building renovations. The two instruments, however, would be alternative and not cumulative with each other.
Nuova Sabatini and development contracts
The Treasury is also evaluating the refinancing of the development contracts and the Nuova Sabatini. These are two tools used to support business investments. Both will remain active even after the incentive reform presented by the Ministry of Business. The two measures had already received new resources with the previous budget law, but the pace of applications and the use of funds may require new intervention.
Former Ilva, 400 million hypothesis for the pre-reduced price
A specific chapter concerns the former Ilva. While waiting for certainties from the Supreme Court on the fate of the hot area, the government is working on a possible industrial reorganization. The hypothesis is a 400 million euro refinancing for the plant intended for the production of pre-reduced, the semi-finished product containing iron which will be able to power Taranto’s future electric oven.
The new resources would be added to the old allocation, just under 800 million euros, already directed with the Pnrr decree of June towards development contracts for the decarbonisation of the steelmaking hub.
