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Abu Dhabi economic delegation concluded a successful visit to Italy on January 30, 2026, signing key agreements to accelerate growth in entrepreneurship, advanced manufacturing, and agricultural technologies. The delegation, led by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, held a series of bilateral meetings with senior government officials, business leaders, family offices, and investors to explore new opportunities for cooperation and investment.
During the Abu Dhabi Investment Forum held in Milan, organized by the Abu Dhabi Investment Office in collaboration with the Department of Economic Development, officials signed multiple agreements focused on strengthening economic ties between the two regions. The forum featured keynote addresses from His Excellency Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, and other prominent figures including the UAE Ambassador to Italy and leadership from Assolombarda, Italy’s largest entrepreneurship federation.
Abu Dhabi Investment Office Signs Strategic Partnerships
The Abu Dhabi Investment Office formalized two significant agreements during the Milan forum with Assolombarda and Confagricoltura, the Italian confederation of agricultural companies. These partnerships aim to enhance commercial exchange and industrial cooperation between Abu Dhabi and Milan, according to official statements from the delegation. The collaboration with Assolombarda focuses on advanced manufacturing, clean energy, and digital transformation sectors.
Meanwhile, the agreement with Confagricoltura supports innovation and resilience within the AGWA food development and water abundance cluster value chain. These strategic partnerships underscore Abu Dhabi’s commitment to expanding global market reach and building long-term collaborative relationships with institutions in leading European economies, the department said.
Trade Facilitation and Digital Infrastructure
Abu Dhabi Customs signed a cooperation document with Italian Customs to enhance trade facilitation solutions through secure, efficient, and transparent customs operations. The agreement aims to support economic growth and strengthen commercial and investment relations between the two nations. Additionally, the document focuses on innovation and deployment of advanced technological solutions, including collaboration on implementing a trusted digital trade corridor to facilitate goods movement and instant secure customs data exchange.
However, the delegation’s discussions extended beyond customs cooperation. Abu Dhabi Customs showcased its advanced artificial intelligence-supported customs clearance system and services during the visit, demonstrating the emirate’s technological capabilities to Italian counterparts.
Entrepreneurship and Startup Ecosystem Development
Hub71, Abu Dhabi’s global technology ecosystem, presented its initiatives to support promising startup growth by connecting them with suitable investors and partners. The organization highlighted Abu Dhabi’s thriving market opportunities designed to facilitate investment access and deal execution for emerging technology companies. In contrast, the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry enhanced private sector participation by organizing two roundtable sessions bringing together business leaders and investors from 18 major Italian family businesses and institutional investors.
Discussions with leading institutions including Enel, Saipem, Huarahi Life Style, Caracol, Assolombarda, Antech Assinforme, and Altaqama Foundation centered on leveraging growth opportunities in Abu Dhabi. The meetings explored the emirate’s supportive business environment, sector enablement, ease of doing business, company development, and long-term expansion possibilities, according to chamber representatives.
Economic Clusters Driving Future Growth
His Excellency Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi expressed satisfaction with the positive outcomes from the Italy visit, which included commitments to accelerate growth in priority sectors for both parties. He noted that the discussions focused on providing appropriate means to enhance and expand cooperation and partnerships by leveraging available opportunities in Abu Dhabi, Italy, and other economies. Al Zaabi emphasized that Abu Dhabi’s economy is leading efforts to build the economy of the future through advanced policies, informed decision-making, and integration between public and private sector entities.
The Department of Economic Development focuses on enabling investments through practical insights, seamless registration services, and reliable regulatory frameworks to support sustainable development. These efforts concentrate on accelerating economic transformation through specialized economic clusters including the Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industries cluster (SAVI), the Food and Water Abundance cluster (AGWA), the Health, Wellness and Lifestyle cluster (HELM), and the Financial Technology, Insurance and Digital Assets cluster (FIDA).
The four clusters, launched between 2023 and 2025, target a contribution of approximately 284 billion dirhams (77.4 billion dollars) to gross domestic product, providing over 130,000 jobs and attracting investments exceeding 217 billion dirhams (59 billion dollars) by 2045. The delegation included more than 100 senior representatives from leading government and private entities in the emirate, including Abu Dhabi Global Market, Abu Dhabi Investment Office, Abu Dhabi Customs, Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange Group, Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Hub71.
The Italy visit forms part of a series of delegations led by the Department of Economic Development to major global capitals and international financial centers. Authorities have not confirmed specific timelines for implementing the signed agreements, though both parties expressed commitment to immediate cooperation on priority sectors.
