UAE and Italy Deepen Economic Ties Through Strategic Dialogue
Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade, met with the Italian Business Council in the UAE to discuss new strategies for expanding trade, investment, and private sector collaboration between the two nations. This meeting reiterates the UAE’s focus on building stronger economic relations with Italy, a significant partner within the European Union.
During the discussions, Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi highlighted the growing importance of the UAE-Italy economic relationship. The two countries achieved a notable increase in non-oil bilateral trade, which reached US$14 billion in 2024. This signifies a robust 19.7% growth from 2023 and a 22.2% jump compared to 2022. In just the first half of 2025, bilateral trade amounted to US$7.9 billion, marking a 14.6% year-on-year increase over the same period in 2024 and a 12.3% increase from the latter half of 2024. Notably, in 2024, Italy ranked as the UAE’s leading EU partner in non-oil trade and stood 12th globally, representing 1.7% of the UAE’s 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… Today’s discussions focused on expanding avenues for private sector collaboration that will be mutually beneficial. We are particularly eager to explore projects in technology, renewable energy, healthcare, and infrastructure that can drive growth for both our nations.” (Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi)
Reflecting on the significance of the meeting, Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi also 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 provided a platform for dialogue on ongoing initiatives and agreements designed to leverage the current trade and investment framework. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi emphasised the need to invest in sustainable and innovative projects that can create jobs and deliver long-term economic value in both countries. The UAE-Italy relationship continues its upward trend, with both governments showing strong interest in fostering partnerships for sustainable growth and technological advancement.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to explore further collaborative projects to deepen trade relations and economic ties, paving the way for a mutually prosperous future for both the UAE and Italy.
Team V.4-EM-UAE
