Page 521 - MOE ENGLISH PR REPORT - MARCH 2025

3/14/25, 1:35 PM UAE, Italy: Promising partnerships for sustainable, prosperous future
These initiatives are expected to accelerate sustainable development, create job opportunities, and
drive economic and social growth, contributing to further progress and prosperity.

Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, affirmed that UAE-Italy relations are
experiencing one of their most prosperous periods, reflecting the shared commitment of both countries'

leaderships to elevate their ties to new levels of a long-term strategic partnership aimed at achieving
mutual economic growth.

In a statement to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Al Zeyoudi noted that this mutual commitment to
strengthening strategic relations, particularly in trade and investment, was clearly demonstrated during

the official visit of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The visit included meetings, discussions, and the signing of agreements and memoranda of
understanding (MoUs) across various fields, including industry, advanced technology, artificial
intelligence, energy, healthcare, culture, education, scientific research, defence, transport, space,
mining, and economic partnerships with African nations. These agreements pave the way for broader

strategic collaboration between the two countries.

Al Zeyoudi added that these new agreements were complemented by the exploration of numerous trade
and investment opportunities between the business communities of both countries during the UAE-Italy
Business Forum, held in conjunction with the visit. The forum, attended by business leaders from both

sides, witnessed the signing of several agreements and MoUs between Emirati and Italian companies,
focusing on future economic sectors.

He highlighted that Italy is the UAE's top trade partner within the European Union, with non-oil trade
between the two countries reaching US$14.1 billion in 2024, marking a 21 percent increase compared to
2023.

He further stated that the remarkable growth of over 50 percent in non-oil trade over the past five years

underscores the promising potential for further expansion in bilateral trade.

Expressing optimism about the long-term outcomes of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin
Zayed Al Nahyan's visit to Italy, Al Zeyoudi emphasised that it marks the beginning of a new era in the
strategic relations between the two nations, built on achieving mutual benefits.

The visit saw the signing of several cooperation agreements across various sectors, reflecting the UAE's
commitment to forging impactful partnerships that anticipate future trends and foster shared prosperity,
further strengthening the longstanding ties between the two nations.

The UAE Ministry of Investment signed three MoUs with Italy to support joint investments and enhance
cooperation in the pharmaceutical, minerals, data centres, and artificial intelligence (AI) sectors. These

agreements aim to establish a framework for investment collaboration that promotes innovation,

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