Dubai: Valerio Soldani, Italian Trade Commissioner to the UAE and Director of the Italian Trade Agency (ITA) Office in Dubai, emphasized that economic and trade relations between Italy and the United Arab Emirates are experiencing a positive phase, reflected in growth rates in trade exchange and Italian exports to the UAE.
According to Emirates News Agency, speaking on the sidelines of the 27th edition of the Water, Energy, Technology and Environment Exhibition (WETEX), Soldani revealed that non-oil trade between the UAE and Italy reached approximately £6 billion in the first half of 2025. He noted a 19% growth in Italian exports to the UAE compared to the same period last year, totaling £4.5 billion. Total exports are predicted to exceed £9 billion by year-end, surpassing the previous record of £7.8 billion set in 2024.
Soldani highlighted that the industrial technology sector is performing well, recording over 23% growth this year. It has emerged as a crucial element of Italian exports to the UAE, alongside jewelry and other sectors, with industrial technology alone accounting for 26% of total exports. This growth has outpaced sectors such as furniture.
He mentioned that Italy's participation in WETEX mirrors this trend, with many Italian companies in renewable energy, water treatment, waste management, and sustainability-related fields showcasing innovative solutions. Italian exports in the renewable energy sector alone surpassed £250 million last year, maintaining an annual growth rate of over 30%.
The Italian Trade Commissioner also pointed out that more than 600 Italian companies currently operate directly in the UAE, with numbers continuing to rise. These companies view the UAE as a strategic gateway to markets in the Gulf Cooperation Council, the Middle East and North Africa, and even Asia and Southeast Asia, aided by the UAE's Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements with numerous global markets.