Assolombarda steps up its activities in the UAE

“This agreement,” explains Alvise Biffi, President of Assolombarda, “creates preferential channels for expansion for over 7,000 member companies, strengthening Dubai’s position as a strategic hub for Italian manufacturing and services in the Gulf region. This initiative transforms traditional bilateral trade into a systemic partnership. Key elements include synergies between networks dedicated to family-run businesses and the launch of an Annual Business Roundtable to ensure continuous and structured cooperation. We are promoting a shared vision: to integrate the technological drive and cutting-edge infrastructure of the United Arab Emirates with the manufacturing excellence, know-how, quality and capacity for innovation of the region represented by Assolombarda. A natural convergence that extends to the new frontiers of Physical AI, joining forces to drive the digital transformation of industry.”

“Our efforts,” adds Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, Chairman and Chief Executive of Dubai Chambers, “are also focused on enabling business communities to explore opportunities in priority sectors and to build sustainable partnerships that strengthen competitiveness and support international expansion. We remain committed to deepening the ties between businesses in Dubai and Italia and to opening up new channels for cooperation, investment and shared growth.”

Assolombarda organised a business mission involving over 20 companies, with the participation of Veronica Squinzi, Vice-President for Internationalisation; Mattia Macellari, President of Piccola Industria; Federico Chiarini, President of the Young Entrepreneurs Group, and Massimo Di Amato, the President’s Delegate for the Circular Economy and Environmental Technologies.

“In fact,” adds Francesca Cerruti, “Assolombarda’s involvement as a guarantor and point of contact for this initiative is crucial; it enables family-run businesses like ours to gain access to a significant network and key partners.” “These are interesting partners,” adds Valerio Berra, “not least because they are open to new technologies, such as the use of artificial intelligence in project development.” The signed memorandum provides for support for visits by business delegations and joint events aimed at exchanging expertise and strengthening institutional and commercial cooperation.

The agreement also includes initiatives to support family businesses through cooperation between the Dubai Centre for Family Businesses and Assolombarda’s counterpart network.

During the mission, which also included a stop in Abu Dhabi for a meeting between businesses and representatives of the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, Assolombarda also signed an agreement with Gemelli Medical Centre Dubai to provide highly specialised healthcare and welfare services to Italian businesses and workers operating in the United Arab Emirates.

This is a significant figure, given that there are nearly 2,000 Italian companies registered with the Dubai Chamber of Commerce alone – a number that has increased fivefold in just five years.