The Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP), Italy’s national promotional institution, during the Chamber’s participation in the UAE–Italy Economic Forum held in Rome. The forum was organised by the Italy–UAE Business Council, in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO).
The MoU was signed by Shamis Al Dhaheri, Second Vice Chairman and Managing Director of the Abu Dhabi Chamber, and Dario Scannapieco, Chief Executive Officer of Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP).
This strategic partnership reinforces the commitment of both parties to enhance economic cooperation and facilitate high-quality investments across key sectors, including advanced industries, energy, technology, food and water security, biotechnology, logistics, and tourism. It also aims to empower small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to expand into new markets.
The agreement carries particular importance given CDP’s central role in supporting Italian enterprises and promoting their international expansion, alongside Abu Dhabi’s robust business ecosystem and competitive investment environment, which continue to attract investors from around the world.
Italy remains the UAE’s leading non-oil trading partner within the European Union, with bilateral trade reaching AED 51.8 billion (US$14.1 billion) in 2024, a 21% increase compared to the previous year. This growth highlights the resilience and strength of the economic relationship between the two nations. Non-oil trade between the UAE and Italy also maintained strong momentum in the first half of 2025, reaching approximately AED 25.6 billion (EUR 6 billion).
The MoU aligns with Abu Dhabi’s strategic vision to diversify its economy, strengthen the role of the private sector, and attract high-value international investments. It also supports greater industrial collaboration in innovation, advanced technology, and clean energy.
Shamis Al Dhaheri said, “This partnership marks an important step in reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s role as a global platform for high-quality investments and a key gateway to regional and international markets. We are confident that this MoU will drive innovation, advance high-value industries, and empower companies and entrepreneurs in both countries to seize emerging opportunities and build a more diversified and competitive economic future.”
Dario Scannapieco, called the MoU with the Abu Dhabi Chamber a major step forward in expanding the scope of economic cooperation between Italy and the UAE. “It provides a tangible opportunity to strengthen the presence of Italian companies in a regional market renowned for its competitiveness and sustainable growth. We believe that our collaboration with partners in Abu Dhabi will pave the way for effective partnerships in industrial, technological, and renewable energy sectors, and promote the exchange of knowledge and expertise between both sides,” he said.
The Abu Dhabi Chamber continues to establish international partnerships that open new avenues for growth, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s reputation as a global destination for investment, entrepreneurship, and future industries. These initiatives also aim to broaden the international reach of the UAE’s private sector.
Under the MoU, both parties will collaborate to support the growth and expansion of Italian and Emirati companies, facilitating their access to promising markets.
The agreement includes the exchange of information on investment opportunities and trade policies, enhanced engagement between private sector institutions in both countries, and the promotion of joint initiatives across priority sectors. It also seeks to strengthen the private sector’s role in sustainable economic growth, enabling businesses to innovate, expand, and compete effectively on regional and global scales.
(Inputs from WAM)
