ITALY–MIDDLE EAST: STRATEGIC ALLIANCES TO TACKLE FUTURE CHALLENGES

Technology, sustainability, AI, agri-food, and critical minerals: there are many areas of dialogue for consolidating economic and industrial cooperation.

From agreements signed with the United Arab Emirates to participation in the Oman Sustainability Week, in which the Ecomondo team will also take part.

Artificial intelligence, data centres, space research, renewable energy, agri-food, rare earths, and more: the strategic alliance signed between Italy and the United Arab Emirates last February looks to the challenges of the economy of the future. The occasion was the state visit of Mohamed bin Zayed, the first by an Emirati president to Italy, which marked a significant step forward in economic and industrial relations between the two countries.

More than 40 agreements, worth 40 billion dollars, involving several ministries and various Italian companies. Another topic on the table was the Mattei Plan for Africa, something Abu Dhabi has been monitoring for some time due to its interests in the continent, especially in the eastern region.

More specifically, the five strategic agreements signed by Italy’s Minister for Business and Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso, with his Emirati counterparts aimed at promoting strategic investment, technological innovation, and cooperation across key sectors of the economy.

STRATEGIC INVESTMENT

One of the key agreements, signed with the UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, provides for the creation of a working group focused on identifying joint projects and investment opportunities in sectors of mutual interest, to facilitate capital mobilisation. In this context, Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP) and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) signed a memorandum of understanding to foster collaboration between Italian and Emirati companies and ease investor access to their respective markets. Similar agreements include one between Confapi and AIM Global Foundation, aimed at supporting the international expansion of SMEs, and another between the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Confindustria Lazio, designed to encourage private investment.

Meanwhile, energy and water are the focus of two further agreements signed by CDP—one with Amea Power, an Abu Dhabi-based renewables company, and the other with Metito Utilities, specialised in the water resources sector.

TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER

A second memorandum focuses on technology transfer and the promotion of advanced technologies, facilitating investment in areas such as value chain resilience, green technologies, health, AI, and agri-food. For example, TIM and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office will develop cyber and quantum communication solutions, expand broadband and telecommunications, and establish a Centre of Excellence in IoT and AI for local industries. Meanwhile, Enel and Masdar will explore business opportunities in the renewable energy sector.

DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND AI

Cooperation in investments related to digital infrastructure and artificial intelligence is another key focus, beginning with the agreement linked to the “Italia AI Factory” project, which involves a 430 million euros investment to develop a supercomputer at the Tecnopolo in Bologna.

In addition, ENI has signed a letter of intent with MGX Fund Management Limited, a fund dedicated to AI and advanced technologies investments, and Group 42 Holding Ltd., a Dubai-based group specialising in AI, to evaluate the development of the “Blue-Powered Data Center(s) Campus” project. This initiative aims to establish sustainable, cutting-edge data centres in Italy.

CRITICAL MINERALS, PHARMACEUTICALS, AND MORE

Another significant agreement pertains to the mining sector, with a deal signed between Minister Urso, Minister Pichetto, and the Emirati Minister for Investments. The agreement aims to strengthen cooperation in the exploration, extraction, processing, recycling, and commercialisation of critical minerals, promoting sustainable practices. In this context, ENI will develop joint collaboration and research initiatives with ADQ, a global sovereign wealth fund focused on critical infrastructure and supply chains.

A fifth memorandum focuses on investment cooperation within the pharmaceutical value chain, with particular emphasis on vaccines.
Among the other partnerships involving Italian companies is one between Area and Metito, an Emirati company that will serve as "investor, developer, and operator of solutions for the sustainable management of water and climate-resilient water assets globally." Metito has also agreed to promote investments in Africa, with "insurance and financial solutions" of up to 100 million dollars with Sacem, which has also teamed up with Amea Power to facilitate the export of Italian businesses and develop projects in strategic sectors.

Intesa Sanpaolo has signed a memorandum with Masdar to strengthen collaboration in M&A activities within the renewable energy sector in international markets. Meanwhile, a letter of intent for a potential “strategic collaboration in the naval sector” has been signed between Leonardo and the Emirati defence group Edge, with which Fincantieri will also work to develop underwater technologies.

ECOMONDO AT OMAN SUSTAINABILITY WEEK

As further evidence of the growing interest and collaboration between Italy and the Middle East, ICE—the agency for the promotion of Italian enterprises abroad and their internationalisation—has organised an institutional participation in Oman Sustainability Week, taking place at the Oman International Exhibition Center in Muscat from the 12^th to the 14^th of May 2025.

A delegation from Ecomondo will take part in this event, which focuses on topics such as water, waste, future mobility, the environment and society—the same areas as the Rimini-based exhibition, a reference point not only in Italy but also across Europe and the Mediterranean for technologies, services, and industrial solutions in the green and circular economy sectors.