Italy is reaffirming its role as a key partner in the UAE’s industrial growth, with bilateral trade between the two nations reaching new heights. The Italian Trade Agency (ITA) in Dubai has played a crucial role in advancing this relationship, particularly in the food and packaging machinery sectors. Valerio Soldani, Trade Commissioner of ITA – Dubai, recently discussed the ongoing success and future prospects of this collaboration in an exclusive interview with FoodTechBiz.

Bilateral Trade: A Golden Era

Trade relations between Italy and the UAE are currently in what many are calling a "golden age." In 2024, bilateral trade reached an unprecedented high, reaching almost  €10 billion in imports and exports. “The export component, which is the part promoted by the Italian Trade Agency, has been growing at a double-digit pace for years,” said Soldani. The figures speak for themselves: Italy has managed to double its exports to the UAE in just the last four years. “In 2025, we are still growing. Based on the latest official data, exports alone have already grown by 18% year-over-year,” Soldani continued.

This growth isn’t just in traditional sectors like food, fashion, and furniture, which are often associated with the "three Fs" of Made in Italy. It’s also in technology and industrial machinery, areas where Italy’s presence in the UAE market is stronger than ever before. “We sometimes joke within our team that people always remember the ‘three Fs’—Food, Fashion, and Furniture—but they forget the fourth F: Factory,” said Soldani. He explained that industrial machinery and technology alone accounted for more than €1.5 billion out of the €8 billion worth of exports last year, and this segment is outpacing all others in terms of growth. While the general perception could be more focused on the first ‘three Fs’, business players and specialists know the relevance of the Italian technology offer, with a wide ecosystem of major companies that, together with a network of SMEs, provide solutions focused on innovation, sustainability, and the ability to serve hyper-specialized market verticals with unique value packages.

The role of technology in trade growth

Technology is driving much of this expansion, particularly in the machinery and industrial sectors. Italian-made equipment, especially in packaging and food manufacturing, has become synonymous with innovation, sustainability, and precision. Soldani noted that Italy’s focus on advanced technologies, such as AI-driven predictive maintenance and smart data collection, in food manufacturing has helped local producers meet their sustainability and efficiency goals.

“Efficient machinery reduces waste, material usage, and operational costs—this aligns directly with sustainability and cost-efficiency goals,” Soldani explained. As he emphasized, it’s not just about the machinery, but how it integrates into the larger goals of the UAE’s industrial landscape, such as increased automation, reduced environmental impact, and better resource management.

ITA at Gulfood Manufacturing: Expanding regional reach

Italy’s presence at Gulfood Manufacturing 2025 is a testament to its commitment to the UAE market and beyond. The Italian Trade Agency, along with its partners, has supported 250 Italian companies to the trade show. Some of these companies have been in the region for decades, while others are making their debut. “Gulfood Manufacturing is a leading trade show for the industry, and our goal is to not only showcase Italian products but also to help companies open new markets, meet buyers, and engage with potential clients, and take advantage of the Italian Trade Agency powerful promotion and business service platform to grow their business effectively” Soldani said.

Italy’s dominance in the UAE market is particularly evident in packaging machinery. Soldani shared that one out of every three food processing and packaging machines imported into the UAE is Italian. In packaging alone, exports have risen by an impressive 60% year-over-year, far outpacing the overall growth rate of Italian exports to the region. “We are here to reinforce Italy’s position as the number one supplier for packaging and food manufacturing equipment,” he affirmed.

Supporting growth in regional markets

Through ITA’s extensive network, Italy is helping its companies break into not just the UAE market but also broader regional markets in Africa, South Asia, India, and Southeast Asia. Dubai serves as a strategic hub connecting these rapidly growing economies, and Soldani explained that the UAE’s position as a gateway for regional trade is an advantage for Italian manufacturers targeting diverse markets.

“We are working closely with our network of trade offices across the Gulf and Africa to bring more buyers to engage with Italian companies,” said Soldani. “Demand in these regions is rising rapidly, and we are expanding our promotional efforts accordingly.” Italian machinery is particularly sought after for its ability to provide scalable solutions, whether for small-scale artisanal producers or large industrial manufacturers.

Italian companies: Strengths and successes

Soldani highlighted that Italian companies are recognized not only for the high quality of their products but also for their customer-centric approach. From bakery and pasta equipment to small-scale machines for boutique producers like chocolatiers, Italian companies offer solutions that are both affordable and highly customizable. Many of these firms have been in business for decades, some for over 80 years, and have developed a reputation for their ability to adapt machinery to clients' specific needs.

“We work closely with our clients, adapting machinery to their needs as they scale their operations,” said Soldani. This ability to customize solutions is one of the key reasons why Italy dominates the UAE market in both food processing and packaging machinery.

Unlike cheaper alternatives, which may lack long-term service support or durability, Italian manufacturers provide robust after-sales services that include installation, training, and ongoing maintenance. This ensures that clients not only have access to high-quality machinery but also receive ongoing support as they scale their businesses. “High-quality output is needed to stay ahead of the competition, and to achieve that you need cutting-edge, innovative and hyper-customised solutions that Italian companies can provide. That’s the deep rationale behind the high market share we have been retaining.”

Italy’s continued commitment to the UAE

The economic impact of Italian machinery on the UAE is undeniable. The food manufacturing sector, for example, is valued at USD 23.2 billion in 2025 and is projected to more than double in the coming years. Italy’s advanced machinery is directly contributing to this growth, offering higher throughput, better quality control, energy efficiency, and reduced waste—all of which give local producers a competitive edge in an increasingly challenging global market.

Soldani wrapped up the interview by reaffirming Italy’s long-term dedication to the UAE’s industrial goals. “Innovation first, sustainability first, and quality first are the key values of Italian machinery,” he said. “Come and meet the engineers, meet the family-owned companies behind these solutions. These are not just products written in brochures; they are designed and built specifically around the needs of our clients.”

The increasing success of Italian machinery exports to the UAE highlights a deeper and more strategic partnership between the two nations. Emphasizing innovation, sustainability, and quality, Italian engineering plays a key role in shaping the UAE’s manufacturing future. As the region continues to diversify its economy and invest in automation, the demand for high-quality Italian solutions is expected to grow, further establishing Italy as an essential partner in the UAE’s industrial and economic development.