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Dubai / Emirates Business
Dubai Investment Development Agency (Dubai FDI), an agency of the Department of Economic Development (DED), recently concluded a successful mission to three cities in Italy, interacting with businesses across varied sectors looking at Dubai as a gateway to high-growth markets.
Overall, the Dubai FDI delegation met with representatives of 21 companies across the cities of Rome, Ancona and Monza, apprising them on the modern infrastructure and competitive business environment in Dubai as well as the emirate’s proximity to fast-growing economies.
“Bilateral engagement between the UAE and Italy remains growing and expanding to new sectors, and our mission stressed on the unprecedented opportunities available in Dubai to sustain the growth momentum, particularly in view of the ongoing preparations for the Expo 2020,†commented Ibrahim Ahli, Director of Investment Promotion Department at Dubai FDI.
UAE-Italy trade was worth over AED 29 billion (US$ 8 billion) in 2015 and Ahli said the Expo 2020 would significantly improve trade and investment activity between the two countries. Italian consumer goods, furniture, machinery and foods are among the most popular brands in the UAE and Dubai is home to the largest Italian community in the eastern part of the world.
“The forums we addressed in Italy were invitation-only events, attended by client businesses of the leading European bank Unicredit, selected on the basis of their interest in moving to Dubai. We responded to their queries on the policy framework and infrastructure in Dubai, in addition to the procedures for setting up business in the emirate,†said Ahli
Representatives from the healthcare, cosmetics, water solutions, machinery, furniture, kitchenware, home appliances, fashion, solar energy and publishing industries interacted with the Dubai FDI delegation during the forums. Senior officials including Marino Inio, Managing Director of Unicredit International Centre, also met with the delegation.
“It was our fourth consecutive year of successful tours to Italy, targeting businesses capable of adding value to Dubai’s enterprise diversity and emphasis on innovation. Our partners Diacron has supported us in all these missions, connecting us to Italian businesses eager to move to Dubai,†said Ahli.
The delegation also highlighted the support Dubai FDI provides to investors and entrepreneurs, operational efficiencies in the emirate and its unique connectivity to the Middle East, Africa, Indian Subcontinent and countries in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).