COVID-19 and Measures to Support Enterprises and Local Authorities in Italy: The Role of Cassa Depositi e Prestiti

This paper focuses on the strategic role Cassa Depositi e Prestiti is playing in response to the Covid-19 crisis. After an overview of the mandate and business of the development bank, the paper highlights the adverse impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the Italian economy, and the extraordinary measures set up by Cassa Depositi e Prestiti to support the country. These measures, in line with the mission of the bank, are specifically targeted towards enterprises and local authorities and are aimed at supporting liquidity needs to cope with the health emergency, as well as providing financial resources for meeting the working capital requirement and sustaining investments and export.