For Italy, the UAE is a strategic export market, identified as one of the priority countries in the Action Plan for Italian exports in high-potential non-EU markets, launched by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Tajani. Trade figures justify the Italian focus on the UAE.
The Emirates are the first destination market for Italian exports in the Mediterranean and Middle East area and see constant growth, which has accelerated in recent years. In 2024, Italian exports reached 7.9 billion, an increase of no less than 19.4% compared to 2023 and even 33.4% compared to 2022. In 2024, total bilateral trade reached EUR 9.9 billion, an increase of 13% compared to 2023.
Italy is the UAE’s 10th largest supplier with a 3% market share and the second largest EU supplier after Germany (3% share). The UAE’s largest supplier remains China, with a 19% market share.
To give a concrete idea of the size of the UAE market for Italian exports, just think that Italy exported more than 2.7 billion more to the UAE in 2024 than it exported to a much larger country such as India.