Markets

Export, tourism and culture: India opportunities for Italian companies

In Milan 'Namaste India' promoted by the Italian Chamber of Commerce in India, dedicated to the promotion of Indian brands that have invested in Italy

by Giovanna Mancini

20 June 2025

Mumbai, India. (Indranil Aditya / Middle East Images via AFP)

2' min read

Key points

Milan Calls India: the event
Business relations with Lombardy.
Opportunities for Italian companies

2' min read

With more than €15 billion of trade in 2023 (+30% over 2022), more than 800 Italian companies investing in India and more than 100 Indian companies investing in Italy, the economic axis between Italy and India is now among the most dynamic within the European Union.

In order to further strengthen this strategic relationship, the Italian Chamber of Commerce in India (IICCI) organised 'Namaste India Milan 2025', a platform to foster industrial collaborations, attract investments, and encourage internationalisation between companies from the two countries.

Milan Calls India: the event

For two days, B2B meetings between Indian and Italian companies active in key sectors such as manufacturing, fashion, agri-food, environmental technology and tourism. As well as thematic sessions on tools for the internationalisation of companies (Promos, SIMEST, CDP), company case studies (Royal Enfield, Maire Tecnimont, TCS - Tata Consultancy Services), macroeconomic prospects and joint venture opportunities.

In particular, the day of 20 June was dedicated to deepening economic relations between the two countries, which are all the more strategic at this time of geopolitical uncertainty, which is shifting the centre of gravity of Italian exports towards the Asia-Pacific area and in particular towards India, which is also becoming increasingly important compared to China. In the afternoon, tourism opportunities were also discussed, with the participation of ENIT and players from the hospitality, retail and travel design sectors. An opportunity to develop reciprocal tourism flows and public-private cooperation models.

Business relations with Lombardy

At the opening of the proceedings, the Undersecretary to the Presidency with responsibility for International Relations of the Lombardy Region, Raffaele Cattaneo, stressed the importance of relations between India and Lombardy, which has an interchange of 2 billion euro (out of a total of 164) with the Asian country: a figure that is still limited but growing, so much so that the Region is working with the Indian Consulate in Milan and with Promos to organise a mission to India next year or at the beginning of the following year.

After all, India recently overtook Japan to become the world's fourth largest economy.

Opportunities for Italian companies

Nicola Missaglia, head of Ispi's India desk, who recalled that India is interesting not only because of its size and young population, but also because it is the only large economy in the world that is growing by 6-7 % per year, doing better than even China in recent years. Moreover, Missaglia noted, the political aspect should not be underestimated: despite its flaws, this country is a democracy and this is one of the aspects that should be taken into account most when making investments. It also maintains political and trade relations with all countries, even in this historical period of great tensions, from Russia to the United States. A policy that in the past was called 'non-alignment', while today it is called 'multi-alignment', a pragmatic and non-ideological approach that has allowed India to become increasingly important in the world balance.

Giovanna ManciniRedattore ordinario
- @mancinica
Luogo: Milano
Lingue parlate: Italiano, inglese, tedesco
Argomenti: Industria del design e arredo, made in Italy, cronaca di Milano, consumi, industria del commercio, e-commerce
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