
- Home
- Middle East
- UAE
- UAE’s Special Envoy for Business & Philanthropy concludes Italy visit to advance strategic coopera ..
UAE’s Special Envoy For Business & Philanthropy Concludes Italy Visit To Advance Strategic Cooperation Across Key Sectors
Fahad Shabbir (@FahadShabbir) Published September 15, 2025 | 07:15 PM

MILAN, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 15th Sep, 2025) Badr Jafar, the UAE’s Special Envoy for Business and Philanthropy, has concluded high-level visits to Rome and Milan which were aimed at advancing the growing UAE–Italy partnership across trade, innovation, and societal development. The visits built on the official state visit by President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to Italy earlier this year, during which both countries signed a landmark US$40 billion investment agreement.
The mission reinforced the UAE’s broader efforts to deepen business diplomacy and cross-sector cooperation with key European partners, while building on existing bilateral commitments and institutional partnerships.
The UAE and Italy share one of the most dynamic economic relationships in the Eurozone. In 2024 alone, non-oil trade between the two nations reached US$13.81 billion, an 18.71% increase from the previous year. Between 2020 and 2024, UAE investments into Italy totalled approximately US$178 million, with Italian investments in the UAE reaching approximately US$602 million over the same period. These investment flows underscore confidence in the UAE’s role as a regional platform for innovation-driven, sustainable growth.
During the visit, Badr Jafar engaged senior leaders across business, finance, government, and philanthropy in both Rome and Milan. Discussions focused on unlocking new opportunities for Italian entities to access the UAE’s platforms in energy transition, digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, and life sciences.
The visit also facilitated cross-sector dialogue to identify synergies and accelerate meaningful partnerships. In parallel, potential pilot collaborations in strategic philanthropy were explored, particularly in youth skills development and health systems, with leading Italian foundations and corporate donors.
He said, “This visit builds on the strong momentum between our two countries and reflects the UAE’s continued commitment to creating practical pathways for long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships. Italy’s innovation economy and global outlook align closely with the UAE’s role as a convening platform for regional and international cooperation.”
Building on these engagements, a framework was established with key Italian institutional and private-sector counterparts to ensure continuity and progress across priority areas of mutual interest.
As the UAE advances its mission to enable high-impact, cross-border collaboration, the visit underscored the increasing relevance of business diplomacy in delivering shared value and sustainable growth.
With the UAE’s expanding network of trade partnerships, non-oil trade in the first half of 2025 surpassed US$460 billion, more than double the figure of just five years ago, and non-oil sectors now account for over 75% of national GDP as of 2024.
Related Topics
Recent Stories

FANR showcases UAE Nuclear Energy Programme as global model to international del ..

Mansour bin Zayed arrives in Doha to lead state delegation on behalf of UAE Pres ..

Sharjah records 361% growth in capital investment

Open Masters Games Abu Dhabi 2026 preparations underway for region’s largest m ..

Integrated Transport Centre launches emirate’s 1st trial operation for autonom ..

Dubai Humanitarian dispatches second relief airlift in less than week to Afghani ..

UAE Government Media Office launches new edition of 'Specialised Content Creator ..

Kazakhstan establishes Ministry of Artificial Intelligence to spearhead digital ..

ADNOC Distribution: AI initiatives drive profitability, enhance customer experie ..

Weather update; heavy monsoon spell forecast for Punjab from Sept16

Naveen-ul-Haq ruled out of Asia Cup 2025 due to injury

Oman's electricity production rises by 9% at end of July
More Stories From Middle East
-
Tanweer Festival returns to Mleiha desert with global artists
4 minutes ago -
UAE’s Special Envoy for Business & Philanthropy concludes Italy visit to advance strategic coopera ..
4 minutes ago -
GCC Supreme Council holds extraordinary session in Doha
19 minutes ago -
FANR showcases UAE Nuclear Energy Programme as global model to international delegation
19 minutes ago -
Mansour bin Zayed arrives in Doha to lead state delegation on behalf of UAE President to extraordina ..
34 minutes ago -
Sharjah records 361% growth in capital investment
49 minutes ago
-
Open Masters Games Abu Dhabi 2026 preparations underway for region’s largest multi-sport event
1 hour ago -
Integrated Transport Centre launches emirate’s 1st trial operation for autonomous delivery vehicle ..
1 hour ago -
Dubai Humanitarian dispatches second relief airlift in less than week to Afghanistan
1 hour ago -
UAE Government Media Office launches new edition of 'Specialised Content Creator Programme'
2 hours ago -
Kazakhstan establishes Ministry of Artificial Intelligence to spearhead digital nation transformatio ..
2 hours ago -
ADNOC Distribution: AI initiatives drive profitability, enhance customer experience
2 hours ago