Abu Dhabi And Italy Sign Agreements To Accelerate Entrepreneurship, Manufacturing And Agritech Growth

An economic delegation from Abu Dhabi has ended a visit to Italy with several wide-ranging agreements, aimed at boosting entrepreneurship, advanced manufacturing and agritech between both sides. The mission, led by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), focused on expanding trade, encouraging joint investments, and positioning Abu Dhabi as a trusted base for companies targeting high-growth markets.

The delegation brought together more than 100 senior figures from Abu Dhabi’s public and private sectors. Participants included representatives from the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ADCCI), Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), Abu Dhabi Customs and Hub71. Italian partners included government bodies, investors, family offices and major industrial groups.

One of the central moments of the visit was the Abu Dhabi Investment Forum (ADIF) Milan, organised by ADIO in cooperation with ADDED. The forum featured keynote speeches by Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Abdulla Ali Al Subousi and Alvise Biffi, and also included expert panels and presentations on mutual investment opportunities and sector-focused partnerships.

During ADIF, ADIO signed two landmark agreements with Assolombarda and Confagricoltura to deepen cross-border collaboration between Abu Dhabi and Milan. These agreements fit within ADIO’s strategy to develop sector-specific partnerships that support growth in priority fields, including industry and agritech, and strengthen Abu Dhabi’s trade and investment links with Europe’s leading economies.

Alongside the investment accords, Abu Dhabi Customs and the Italian Customs signed a statement of cooperation at ADIF. The arrangement is designed to improve trade facilitation, promote secure and transparent customs procedures, and encourage technology-based solutions that support a digital trade corridor, instant data sharing and increased competitiveness in bilateral trade.

Abu Dhabi Customs also showcased its digital capabilities during the visit. Officials highlighted an advanced clearance platform and AI enabled services that allow faster processing and better risk management. The focus on digital customs tools aligned with wider discussions in Milan on how technology can support resilient, efficient and secure trade across borders.

Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of ADDED, said: "We are pleased with the outcomes of our visit to Italy, with clear commitments to accelerate growth in priority sectors and clusters secured. Our discussions during the visit focused on providing the right mechanisms to further enhance cooperation, benefiting from opportunities in both our economies and beyond.

"Our Falcon Economy guides efforts to future-proof industries, supported by progressive policies, disciplined decision-making, and aligned institutions from both the public and private sectors. Our international engagements are geared towards enhancing the role of strategic partners, and we provide them with clarity, certainty, and access to capital to grow and expand into fast-growing markets across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia."

The programme in Italy also underlined the role of Abu Dhabi’s specialised economic clusters. ADDED is driving a model based on targeted ecosystems, including the 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), which together shape the emirate’s next phase of diversification.

These four clusters, launched in 2023, 2024 and 2025, are expected to have a significant macroeconomic impact by 2045. Projections indicate a contribution of AED284 bn to GDP, more than 130,000 new jobs, and over AED217 bn in attracted investments, placing cluster development at the centre of Abu Dhabi’s long-term economic strategy.

Beyond government agreements, the visit prioritised direct engagement with Italian businesses. The Abu Dhabi Chamber hosted two high-level roundtables with more than 18 Italian family businesses, corporates and strategic investors. Companies such as ENEL, SAIPEM, Haworth Lifestyle, Caracol, Assolombarda, Anitec-Assinform and the Altagamma Foundation discussed access to Abu Dhabi’s market, industrial support tools and options for partnerships and expansion.

Hub71, Abu Dhabi’s global tech ecosystem, briefed Italian stakeholders on how start-ups can use Abu Dhabi as a launchpad. Hub71 outlined its role in connecting high-potential companies with investors, regulators and partners, supporting commercial deals and growth. Overall, the Italy mission formed part of broader ADDED-led tours to major financial centres, aiming to deepen international cooperation and develop shared solutions for current and future economic challenges.

With inputs from WAM