Italian companies increasingly must diversify their export markets and identify new strategic areas for global expansion, especially in a world with uncertainty, shifting trade dynamics, and intensifying international competition.
In this context, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a strategic and advanced commercial destination for the global development of Made in Italy products due to its logistics hub for Asia, Africa, and the Middle East and its robust economic system.
For example, 2024 saw a record-breaking performance for Italian exports to the UAE, with a +19.4% increase compared to the previous year and a total value approaching €8 billion, while bilateral trade exceeded €10 billion. This generated a trade surplus of approximately €6 billion for Italy.
The UAE represents far more than a destination market: it’s a logistical and commercial hub connecting Europe, Asia, and Africa. Thanks to cutting-edge infrastructure such as Jebel Ali Port, the most productive container port globally and ninth in terms of throughput, Dubai is positioned as a re-export hub to high-potential markets.
The strengthening of relations between Italy and the UAE, which culminated in February 2025 with the signing of over 40 bilateral agreements worth $40 billion, signals a favourable moment for Italian companies aiming for international growth. In this context, advanced financial tools, institutional support, and strategic vision are decisive factors.
Beyond the figures, the UAE represents a dynamic ecosystem, open to investment, constantly evolving, and strongly innovation-oriented – an ideal environment for Italian businesses seeking structured and long-term growth.
UAE: A SOLID AND EXPANDING MACROECONOMIC OUTLOOK
The UAE’s economy offers resilience, strategic vision, and strong adaptability. According to estimates from Intesa Sanpaolo’s Research Department, the country’s real GDP grew by 3.8% in 2024, with forecasts of further acceleration over 2025–26. The oil & gas sector is now driving growth alongside public and private investment in tourism, healthcare, finance, logistics, and technology that’s supported by structural reforms.
This aligns with the objectives of Vision 2030, the Emirati government’s strategic plan to diversify the economy, reduce oil dependency, and promote sustainability. Strengthening the private sector, digitalisation, renewable energy, and innovation are at the heart of this project, which has already begun to deliver tangible results.
The UAE’s economic transformation is moving towards a sustainable and dynamic model in which diversification and innovation play a central role. This is supported by public policies focused on efficiency, digitalisation, and economic resilience.
Public financial reserves and the reinforcement of oil production (driven by the increase in the OPEC+ quota held by the UAE) stabilize the macroeconomic framework and reduce the risks associated with commodity price volatility. Nonetheless, exogenous factors must be monitored, including the evolution of geopolitical tensions and the slowdown of the global economy, which could affect trade flows and international investment.
The UAE’s entry into the BRICS+ group increasingly strengthens its geopolitical standing by placing it among the emerging economies with the highest growth potential and influence. The overall picture is one of sound economic expansion, low inflation, and policies oriented towards sustainable innovation.
TRADE AND FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT: A BUSINESS-FRIENDLY ECOSYSTEM
In 2024, total UAE trade with the rest of the world reached $892 billion, according to estimates by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), with projections indicating growth to $1,115 billion by 2028. Although the trade surplus of over $80 billion in 2022 has shown signs of narrowing due to oil price trends and stronger import flows, the outlook remains positive and evolving.
The UAE has a highly diversified import-export network: key imports include gold, jewellery, diamonds, electrical and electronic machinery, food products (especially meat, fruit, and oilseeds), and refined petroleum products. Exports are mainly oil and gas, as well as precious stones and metals, aluminium, vehicles, and tobacco.
Trade is highly internationalised. Available data show that China (8.3%), India (5.3%), the United States (3.9%), and Saudi Arabia (3.6%) are among the UAE’s main trading partners. As a result, Italy stands out for a structurally positive trade balance and a growing trend.
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) figures are also significant: in 2024, inbound FDI exceeded $30.9 billion, double that of Saudi Arabia. Forecasts suggest stable values of around $28–29 billion over the next two years. This performance is underpinned by an attractive regulatory framework and the presence of around 40 sector-specific special economic zones that offer tax advantages, simplified governance, and targeted incentives.
The most incentivised sectors include manufacturing, particularly agri-food and agri-tech, metallurgy, chemicals, high-tech machinery and aerospace, pharmaceuticals and biotech, as well as services related to e-commerce, education and scientific research, tourism and healthcare.
Also noteworthy is the NextGenFDI programme, launched in 2022 by the UAE Ministry of Economy, which has enhanced the country’s appeal to tech-intensive companies and those operating in the digital economy by offering dedicated logistical, fiscal, and financial solutions.
ITALY – UAE RELATIONS: INCREASINGLY SOLID TIES
2024 marked a record year for trade relations between Italy and the United Arab Emirates. Italian exports to the UAE reached €7.9 billion (+19.4% compared to 2023), while imports fell by 6.5%, generating a positive trade balance of around €6 billion. Total trade amounted to €10 billion (+13% year-on-year), accounting for 0.7% of Italy’s total trade.
Leading sectors in Italian exports include mechanical engineering, jewellery and fashion, with strong growth also recorded in furniture and agri-food – two high-potential sectors in which UAE domestic production is minimal (0.2% for furniture and 0.9% for agri-food, in terms of added value). Growth prospects for these sectors offer significant opportunities for businesses.
Italian presence in the UAE is already substantial: over 350 active companies, more than 8,000 employees, and a total turnover of approximately €5.8 billion. Italian FDI stock exceeds €11.5 billion, focused primarily on the energy, construction, and transport sectors.
Bilateral relations were further strengthened by the visit of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed to Italy on 25 February 2025. On that occasion, more than 40 economic agreements were signed, worth a total of $40 billion, in strategic areas such as:
- Energy and renewable sources
- Artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure
- Space exploration and underwater technologies
- Advanced manufacturing and critical minerals
- Defence and regional stability
