Wednesday 29 May, the partners of the Umbrian regional financial company Gepafin they gathered in an assembly in Perugia for unanimously approve the 2023 corporate budget. This budget has a particular meaning since it coincides with the conclusion of Umbria Regional Operational Program 2014-2020 of the European Regional Development Fund (Por-Fesr 2014-2020). During the assembly, the numerous initiatives and projects launched by Gepafin to support the regional economy, managing significant resources in recent years, were taken stock.
They attended the meeting Carmelo Campagnapresident of Gepafin and vice-president ofNational Regional Financial Association (Anfir)who illustrated the budget report, and Donatella Tesei And Michele Fioronirespectively president and councilor for economic development of the Umbria region, which is the majority shareholder of Gepafin together with other public bodies and banking institutions present.
Gepafin’s crucial role during the pandemic and beyond
Since 2020, Gepafin has intensified its financing operations and risk capital interventions to respond to the Covid-19 emergency. Among the main tenders was the Re-Start call, which saw 5,037 applications and 1,352 loans disbursed for a total of 28.5 million euros. Other notable announcements include Re-Commerce, Fly, Small, Medium, Double, Re-Start 93, Solar Attack and the tender for the Strengthening of the capital structurewhich together with the activities of Reinsurance, the Umbria Research and Innovation Fund, direct guarantees and equity and quasi-equity interventions, have allowed the use of approximately 60 million euros in favor of the Umbrian productive fabric. “Extraordinary support during the pandemic“, recalled councilor Fioroni, announcing a forthcoming credit support instrument of 4.5 million euros.
Collaborations and future projects
In 2023, Gepafin continued activities in collaboration with Sici, Iban, Aifi and the Umbrian foundation for the prevention of usurywith which it signed an agreement in 2022. It also provided technical-financial support to the Umbria Region for the valorization of the exhibition center Umbriafiere and to the airport Saint Francis of Assisi. “The Umbria Region has tasked us with following the capital increase and the support for the restart of the airport, as well as a project to use the funds for the restructuring of Umbriafiere” explained Campagna. President Tesei thanked Gepafin for her work and announced the assignment of approx 120 million euros from Por-Fesr funds 2021-2027 to the regional financial institution.
Digital innovation and FinTech
Daniela d’Agata, president of the Board of Statutory Auditors, presented a positive report, followed by Campagna who illustrated the digitalisation work carried out by Gepafin in the last two years. This work has improved efficiency and security in the management of regional tenders and in the collection of data for future economic analyses.
Finally, Campagna described the project FinTech of Gepafin, a multilateral clearing platform between debts and credits, awarded as the most innovative project among the regional finance companies in Italy. Thanks to this project, Gepafin was appointed national FinTech coordinator by Anfir, placing Umbria as a pilot region at national level.
