Specialised skills, investment and collaboration have resulted to Italy becoming a long-standing trade partner to the UAE 

Dubai, UAE -  26, October 2021: Italy’s aerospace, defence and security industry turnover reached Euro 17 billion in 2020, whilst employing 230,000 staff, firmly placing the country as the 4th largest producer in Europe and 7th largest in the world. 

Advancements in technology and investment in R&D will be Italy’s key exhibiting factors at the 72nd International Astronautical Congress 2021 (IAC), taking place from 25 to 29 October at the Dubai World Trade Centre. This year’s exhibition theme is ‘Inspire, Innovate & Discover for the Benefit of Humankind’ and marks a momentous year for the UAE, as the country has been chosen as the first Arab nation to host the Congress since its establishment in 1950. 

The Italian Trade Agency in collaboration with the Embassy of Italy in the UAE, the Consulate General in Dubai and the Italian Industries Federation of Aerospace, Defence and Security (AIAD), selected 10 companies as exhibitors at the official Italian pavilion. 

Italy’s expertise in the sector is vast, ranging from the assembly of aircraft, helicopters and microsatellites, space launchers, boats and military vehicles, to systems and subsystems (landing, defence systems, pointing, on-board and ground-based communication, radar, flight attitude), to individual parts and components, design and engineering, experimentation, testing and maintenance. 

His Excellency Nicola Lener, Ambassador of Italy to the UAE said, “Over the last 5 years, the international community has relied heavily on Italy’s expertise and experience in aeronautics, space, naval and land defence resulting in continuous increase in turnover (from Euro 15.5 billion to Euro 17 billion over the last 2 years) and innovation. The aeronautics, space sectors and related devices alone exported approximately Euro 6.1 billion in pre-pandemic times (2019) with an increase of 7.5 per cent compared to the previous year.

Our leading role has enabled us to work very closely with the UAE Space Agency, and we have supported the UAE’s advancements in various aspects including space exploration, science, technology, services and applications, as well as the exchange of space experiences, studies, and research.”

This wide range of skills has forged a strong bilateral relationship with the UAE commented Amedeo Scarpa, Italian Trade Commissioner to the UAE. “During the first six months of 2020, Italian aerospace exports to the UAE were valued at Euro 33 million and for the same period in 2021, we have seen an increase to Euro 38 million. Ranking 9th in the export of aerospace technologies to the UAE, Italy has a prominent international role in the development of aerospace technologies and our advancements are among the most important of those used in the new frontiers of sustainability and resilience. 

“Italy’s national supply chain for the aerospace industry relies heavily on the expertise of SMEs, currently 80% of the industry, who are primarily concentrated in 5 key districts in Italy – Piedmont, Lombardy, Lazio, Campania and Apulia. These companies have excellent skills, which are further enhanced by their collaboration with large national industries and alongside their long-term investment in research centres and universities, has resulted in Italy acquiring a leadership position in different fields of aeronautics and space.”