Italy-Abu Dhabi trade up 14.6 per cent

Italy, the world's eighth-largest economy, remains a key partner for Abu Dhabi and the UAE: in the first half of 2025, bilateral non-oil trade between the two countries reached USD 7.9 billion, an increase of 14.6% over the same period last year. The joint focus on clean energy, sustainability, advanced technologies and innovation-driven industrial growth provides a solid foundation for long-term collaboration.

The delegation highlighted the strength of Abu Dhabi's integrated ecosystem, pointing to the alignment between Italy's strengths in the cultural, industrial and creative industries sectors and Abu Dhabi's position as an ideal springboard for long-term expansion, supported by its characteristics as an attractive hub for global talent, innovators and entrepreneurs.

The Abu Dhabi Investment Forum (Adif) in Milan, organised by the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (Adio) in cooperation with Added and Efg Consulting, featured speeches by senior officials and decision-makers, including H.E. Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, president of Added, H.E. Abdulla Ali Al Subousi, UAE ambassador to Italy, Alvise Biffi, president of Assolombarda, as well as round tables and presentations highlighting mutual investment opportunities.

"We are satisfied with the results of our visit to Italy, clear commitments to accelerate growth in priority sectors and clusters. Our dialogue focused on defining ways to further strengthen cooperation, seizing the opportunities present in both economies and beyond,' said H.E. Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi. 'Our Falcon Economy offers us the vision to future-proof industries, supported by progressive policies, disciplined decision-making processes, and aligned public and private sector institutions. Our international engagement is aimed at strengthening the role of strategic partners, providing them with clarity, certainty and access to capital to expand in the rapidly developing markets of the Middle East, Africa and Asia."

During the Forum, Adio signed two landmark agreements with Assolombarda and Confagricoltura, aimed at promoting cross-border trade and industrial cooperation between Abu Dhabi and the city of Milan. These agreements are part of Adio's broader strategy to strengthen international economic ties through sectoral partnerships that can unlock growth opportunities in priority sectors.

The collaboration with Assolombarda focuses on advanced manufacturing, clean energy and digital transformation. In parallel, the agreement with Confagricoltura supports innovation and resilience along the agri-food value chain within Adio's AgriFood Growth and Water Abundance (AGWA) cluster. Both partnerships reflect Abu Dhabi's strategic commitment to expanding access to global markets and promoting long-term institutional collaboration between major European economies.

Abu Dhabi Customs has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Italian Customs and Monopolies Agency (ADM) to improve trade facilitation by promoting secure, efficient and transparent customs processes, supporting economic growth and strengthening trade and investment ties.

Hub71, Abu Dhabi's global technology ecosystem, outlined its initiatives to support high-potential start-ups, opening up access to the emirate's dynamic market, investors and partners to facilitate investments and business deals that can accelerate their growth.

As part of the programme, the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry promoted the involvement of the private sector by organising two high-level round tables with over 18 leading Italian family businesses, corporate groups and strategic investors, as well as targeted bilateral meetings with leading Italian organisations. The discussions, which involved companies such as Enel, Saipem, Haworth Lifestyle, Caracol, Assolombarda, Anitec-Assinform and the Altagamma Foundation, focused on direct access to the Abu Dhabi market, highlighting the investor-friendly ecosystem, industrial enablers and clear pathways for market entry, partnership development and long-term expansion.

The Abu Dhabi delegation was attended by more than 100 senior representatives of government and private sector entities from the emirate, including ADGM, Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), Abu Dhabi Customs, Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) Group, Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Hub71.

The visit to Italy is part of the missions led by Added to major global capitals and international financial centres, with the aim of expanding Abu Dhabi's involvement in the world's leading economies and exploring new ways to strengthen international cooperation, identifying innovative solutions to the challenges of today and tomorrow.

To support sustainable economic development, Added facilitates investments through operational analysis, efficient registration services and a reliable regulatory framework. As part of these efforts, Added is accelerating economic transformation through sector clusters, including Smart and Autonomous Vehicles Industries (SAVI), AgriFood Growth & Water Abundance (AGWA), Health, Endurance, Longevity and Medicine (HELM) and FinTech, Insurance, Digital and Alternative Assets (FIDA).

It is estimated that these four clusters, launched in 2023, 2024 and 2025, will contribute AED 284 billion (USD 77.4 billion) to GDP, create more than 130,000 jobs and attract investments of more than AED 217 billion (USD 59 billion) by 2045.