SMEs grow in Campania due to foreign capital attractiveness

The frame offered by the recent report by Infocamere – the company for digital innovation of the Chambers of Commerce – which observes the trend of the presence of foreign companies in the capital of Italian manufacturing companies sees Campania in 10th place with 113 companies.

Looking specifically at Campania, one can observe, beyond the absolute number that is perhaps still small compared to the potential, an encouraging growth of foreign investment in the companies of the territory, and especially in SMEs: in 2022 there are 113 industrial companies with a foreign presence – an increase of +48% compared to the 76 recorded in 2017 – and of these 83 are those in which a single foreign shareholder has an absolute majority (a figure that is up compared to the 55 counted in 2017).

“In reality, these numbers are undersized compared to the true potential of attractiveness of the territory’s business fabric,” comments mid-cap investor Giovanna Voltolina, “which, according to the latest Confindustria data, boasts more than 11,500 SMEs (survey 2021), up by +5.7% compared to the previous year, more than the national average (4.2%).

The window of opportunity, in the eyes of the investor, is that small (in relation to the overall) development whereby foreign companies and venture capitalists are beginning to invest in our SMEs. And not only by taking over the majority, but also in so-called ‘expansion’ mode, i.e. with minority investments in capital increases aimed at company growth.

In fact, according to the recent report (first half of 2023) published by Aifi – the Italian Association of Private Equity, Venture Capital and Private Debt and PwC, the total amount invested at national level (foreign and Italian) is calculated at €3,189 million, a sharp drop (-71%) compared to
the first half of 2022, (exceptionally characterised, however, by significant value transactions). Of these, buyouts (majority or total acquisitions) cubes €2,215m, drawing a decrease of -39% compared to the period in the previous year; venture capital (investments in companies in the
early stage, start-ups, etc.) totalled EUR 410 million (down -7%).