Page 567 - MOE ENGLISH PR REPORT - MAY 2025 (Part 1)_Neat

5/27/25, 4:49 PM Third Edition of Investopia Europe Kicks Off in Milan, Advancing Strategic Partnerships in New Economy, Tourism, and Entrepreneu…
Strengthening UAE–Italy Economic Ties

Opening the forum, H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Chairman of
Investopia, emphasized the deep strategic partnership between the UAE and Italy. He referenced the
February 2025 visit by UAE President H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to Rome, which

resulted in the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding and UAE investments worth USD 40
billion across sectors like AI, energy, and digital transformation.

Bin Touq affirmed the role of Investopia in facilitating capital flow to emerging markets, stating:

“Since its inception in 2021, Investopia has connected capital with future-focused investment
opportunities, bringing together global leaders to turn challenges into sustainable opportunities.”

Showcasing The UAE Investment Landscape

The event showcased the UAE's competitive investment environment, highlighting incentives such
as 100% foreign ownership, tax exemptions, long-term residency for investors, and an extensive
network of free zones. The UAE currently hosts nearly 11,000 Italian brands, with bilateral trade
witnessing a 50% surge in 2024 to reach USD 1.2 billion.

UAE investments in Italy between 2019–2023 totaled USD 81 million, primarily in tourism and

logistics, while Italian FDI into the UAE reached approximately USD 519 million in the same period.

Entrepreneurship And SME Collaboration

H.E. Alia Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of State for Entrepreneurship, highlighted the shared vision
between the two nations for SME development. She noted that SMEs comprise 95% of businesses
in the UAE, while Italy boasts a strong base of small and family-owned enterprises.

Al Mazrouei also spotlighted the UAE’s global leadership in entrepreneurship, citing its first-place

ranking in the 2024/2025 Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) Report for the fourth consecutive
year. The UAE supports entrepreneurs with over 50 incubators and accelerators nationwide.

Strategic AI Partnership Announced

One of the key announcements during the event was a USD 600 million strategic
partnership between UAE-based G42 and Italian AI firm iGenius. The MoU, signed in the presence
of UAE ministers, aims to drive collaboration in AI, innovation, and digital transformation. The

partnership will include key players such as Nvidia, Leonardo S.p.A., and Santander.

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