Abu Dhabi and Italy strengthen the strategic economic partnership

ABU DHABI, 19 JANUARY / WAM / The Department of Economic Development – Abu Dhabi is leading a high-level delegation to Italy, as part of the emirate’s ongoing efforts to deepen its strategic partnerships with global economic powers, and strengthen its position as an attractive center for talent, business and investments.

This visit, which began today and will continue until January 22, 2026, follows the success of Abu Dhabi’s economic delegations in strengthening partnerships and building more bridges of cooperation with the major international capitals and financial centers of China, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, India and Singapore during the year 2025, which confirms the emirate’s commitment to expanding its international presence and developing its economic relations with major partners in the world.

Comprising more than 100 senior officials and executives from the government and private sectors, and including the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Abu Dhabi Global (ADGM), Abu Dhabi Investment Office, Abu Dhabi Customs, and Hub71, the delegation will meet with senior government officials, business leaders and investors in Italy to discuss new opportunities for cooperation and strengthen strategic partnerships.

The Abu Dhabi Investment Office, in cooperation with the Department of Economic Development – Abu Dhabi, is organizing the Abu Dhabi Investment Forum (ADIF) in Milan on January 22, 2026, which brings together Italian companies and investors with decision makers in the emirate to explore opportunities in sectors characterized by high growth rates.

The forum aims to strengthen Abu Dhabi’s position as a reliable, long-term partner for Italian companies and investors wishing to invest, partner and expand globally.

Special forums and events will also be held that bring together an elite group of companies and influential investors to discuss long-term partnership opportunities and enhance Abu Dhabi’s role as a gateway to regional and global markets.

His Excellency Ahmed Jassim Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Department of Economic Development – Abu Dhabi, said that Italy is a major partner of Abu Dhabi and the UAE for more than five decades, and this visit comes to open new horizons to support economic development, pointing out that partnerships represent an essential pillar of the “Falcon Economy” that leads the transformation efforts in Abu Dhabi and building the economy of the future.

He stressed his commitment to developing relations with leading economies around the world, dealing with emerging trends and technologies, and focusing on human development, sustainability and economic diversification, in a way that contributes to shaping a better future for present and future generations.

He added that the department, which leads economic growth and diversification, continues its efforts and initiatives to provide an integrated system in terms of aligning policies and legislative frameworks with capital and talent requirements to transform Abu Dhabi’s ambitious vision into tangible economic results, noting that the increase in the number of new companies in the emirate by 82% during the past five years represents evidence of the success of efforts in enhancing the attractiveness of the business environment in Abu Dhabi for investors and entrepreneurs.

More than 680 Italian companies currently operate in various sectors in Abu Dhabi, including energy, construction, industry, financial services, technology, education and professional services. During 2025, the number of new Italian companies in the emirate increased by 29%.

Abu Dhabi investors continue to expand their presence in Italy, especially in the infrastructure, energy, advanced manufacturing and advanced technology sectors.

The visit of the Abu Dhabi economic delegation contributes to achieving the goals of the strategic partnership between the UAE and Italy, which was announced in February 2025 and includes investments worth $40 billion (147 billion dirhams), to enhance cooperation in advanced industries, artificial intelligence and data centers, energy transformation, space, communications, water technologies, information and communications technology, small and medium enterprises and startups, agriculture, civil aviation, education, culture, and health care.

Italy is the eighth largest economy in the world, and is one of the most prominent and major partners of Abu Dhabi and the UAE. During the first half of 2025, the volume of non-oil trade between the two countries reached $7.9 billion (29 billion dirhams), an increase of 14.6% compared to the same period in 2024.

The common interest in the fields of clean energy, sustainability, advanced technologies, and industrial growth based on innovation constitutes a solid basis for developing cooperation between Abu Dhabi and Italy.

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