New trade routes. At the two-day IBE event in Milan, companies explore export opportunities
US tariffs, industrial supply chains in the Maghreb and conflicts in the Gulf are forcing businesses to seek alternatives to traditional trade. At the International Business Expo 2026, organised by Trade Events, there is a call to rethink companies’ internationalisation strategies. New services and artificial intelligence. Among others, representatives from Zambia, Poland, Latvia, Germany and Uzbekistan were present, as well as representatives from banks and consultancy firms.
by 24Ore NextMed
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Wars affect trade; where trade once flowed unhindered, new routes are now being mapped out, and businesses must adapt their strategies. This was the central theme of the IBE, the International Business Expo 2026 (27 and 28 October): two days dedicated to bringing together the supply and demand of business services.
The initiative covered a range of topics, from logistics to tax consultancy, from investment management to artificial intelligence, as well as the impact of geopolitical tensions on business strategies. The underlying premise is that expanding abroad requires skills that go beyond simply selling products; it also necessitates the organisation of transport, knowledge of target markets and tools to manage financial and commercial risks.
The programme opened with a round-table discussion entitled ‘New markets, new opportunities’, focusing on international growth strategies for Italian businesses. Participants included representatives from the diplomatic corps, consultancy professionals and financial sector representatives. Speakers included Alessia Pastori, partner at EY Italia; Fabrizio Clermont, Case del Made in Italy in Milan; Guntis Rubins, Head of the Latvian Representative Office in Italia; the Polish Consul in Milan, Agnieszka Kaminiska; Nchimunya Chisuta, Economic Affairs Counsellor at the Zambian Embassy; Carlo Brignolo Gorla, CEO of Law & Finance International and co-founder of Mima Global Hub; and Ilaria Sangalli, Head of Industry Research at Intesa Sanpaolo.
Three key areas were identified: trade relations between Europe and the United States, industrial integration with the Maghreb, and the development of new corridors linking the Persian Gulf, the Mediterranean and Asia.
One of the sessions on the first day also focused on Uzbekistan and the opportunities available to companies interested in investing or developing trade relations in the country. The session, organised by EY Tax and Law, included in-depth discussions on Special Economic Zones, tax incentives, customs procedures and the protection of intellectual property.
