Al Zeyoudi Engages With Italian Business Council To Enhance Trade And Investment Opportunities

Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, the UAE's Minister of Foreign Trade, recently engaged with the Italian Business Council in the UAE. The primary focus was on enhancing trade, investment, and private sector partnerships between the UAE and Italy. This meeting highlighted the UAE's dedication to bolstering its economic connections with Italy, a significant partner within the European Union.

During their discussions, Dr. Al Zeyoudi stressed the importance of the economic relationship between the UAE and Italy. He noted that non-oil bilateral trade reached US$14 billion in 2024, marking a 19.7% increase from 2023 and a 22.2% rise since 2022. In the first half of 2025 alone, trade amounted to US$7.9 billion, showing a year-on-year growth of 14.6% compared to H1 2024 and a 12.3% increase from H2 2024.

Italy emerged as the UAE’s top partner in non-oil trade among EU countries in 2024 and ranked 12th globally, accounting for 1.7% of its total global trade. "The UAE is committed to further enhancing our economic partnership with Italy which has witnessed non-oil trade flows increase at a consistent rate over the last five years," stated Dr. Al Zeyoudi.

The discussions also focused on expanding private sector collaboration avenues that would benefit both nations. Dr. Al Zeyoudi expressed eagerness to explore projects in technology, renewable energy, healthcare, and infrastructure that could drive growth for both countries. "Today's discussions focused on expanding avenues for private sector collaboration that will be mutually beneficial," he added.

The meeting served as an opportunity to discuss ongoing initiatives and agreements aimed at leveraging existing trade and investment frameworks for mutual advantage. Dr. Al Zeyoudi emphasised investing in sustainable and innovative projects that create jobs and generate lasting economic value in both countries.

A Shared Vision for Growth

The positive trajectory of UAE-Italy relations reflects both nations' desire to foster partnerships leading to sustainable growth and technological advancements. Reflecting on the meeting's significance, Dr. Al Zeyoudi remarked, "By working together, we continue to unlock new opportunities that not only drive economic growth but also contribute to the sustainable development of both our nations."

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to further explore collaborative projects that will enhance trade relations and economic ties between the UAE and Italy, paving the way for a prosperous future for both countries.

With inputs from WAM