Italian economic diplomacy is the activity of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation aimed to support Italian companies abroad and promote the country’s growth in different fields. Coordinated by the Foreign Ministry’s Directorate General for Growth and Export Promotion – which, in turn, is in constant contact with Institutions, Organizations, Associations, Enterprises, Research Centres and Universities – the over 450 offices spread throughout the world and including Embassies, Consulates, as well as ICE and ENIT units, currently integrated into the diplomatic and consular representations, Italian Cultural Institutes, and Offices of Scientific and Technological Attachés, are engaged on a daily basis to promote Italy in its economic, cultural and scientific components from an integrated perspective.
The strategic objectives that inspire economic diplomacy on a daily basis are:
-
- to support companies in their commercial penetration of emerging markets and to strengthen their positioning in traditional ones;
- to support the local authorities’ international activities;
- to attract productive investment, tourist flows and brilliant talents to Italy;
- to promote Italian investment abroad.
Slush 2026: applications are now open for innovative start-ups at the Italian National Pavilion in Helsinki
Applications are now open for innovative Italian start-ups and SMEs to take part in Slush 2026, one of the leading international events dedicated to start-ups, technological innovation and venture capital, scheduled to take place in Helsinki on 18 and 19 November 2026. Launched in 2008 as a gathering for the start-up community, Slush is now […]
Read more
VivaTech 2026: The Growth of the Italian Innovation Ecosystem in Paris
Italy strengthened its presence at VivaTech 2026, one of the world’s leading technology events, which took place in Paris from June 17 to 20. Now in its tenth edition, the fair welcomed over 200,000 visitors, 500 exhibitors, and more than 15,000 startups from 165 countries. The Italian presence, coordinated by the Italian Trade Agency through […]
Read more
AI Hub for Sustainable Development: seven agreements signed in Bologna between African start-ups and European partners
This week, at the DAMA Technology Park in Bologna, seven partnerships were signed between African innovators in the field of artificial intelligence and Italian and European industrial companies. The signing of the agreements forms part of the AI Hub for Sustainable Development, a project supported by the G7 and part of the Mattei Plan for […]
Read more
GITEX AI Mediterranean 2027: Italy Strengthens Its Role in Global Technological Innovation
On April 21-22, 2027, Rome will host the first GITEX AI Mediterranean/Italy, a new event dedicated to technological innovation and artificial intelligence that will bring to Italy one of the leading international platforms for startups, companies, investors, and institutions. The project is part of the Foreign Ministry’s broader commitment to strengthening Italy’s international positioning in […]
Read more