Record Italian business participation at the Third National Export Conference

The third edition of the National Export Conference, organised as part of the Conference of Italian Ambassadors and currently taking place in Milan, has recorded approximately 2,150 participants.

These figures, representing a threefold increase on last year, confirm the growing interest in the role that the diplomatic network can play in supporting Italian businesses.

Requests for meetings with Ambassadors have this year reached nearly 5,000. In the afternoon, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation will facilitate approximately 1,600 meetings-more than double the approximately 700 organised last year-engaging, alongside Ambassadors, also Italian Trade Agency Directors and experts from SACE, SIMEST and CDP.

In March, Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani launched the Action Plan for Italian exports to high-potential non-EU markets. The initiative has been promoted across all continents, involving around 7,500 companies, organising 50 major business forums and nearly 5,000 B2B meetings. The Conference also provided an opportunity to review the Italian System activities carried out this year across different geographical areas. In Saudi Arabia, in Riyadh, the largest business forum ever organised in the country was held, with over 1,000 participating companies, along with a preview of the 2026 Salone del Mobile, confirming double-digit growth in bilateral trade.

In Africa, missions to Mauritania, Senegal and Niger strengthened Italy's economic presence through business forums and the first Conference of Ambassadors held in Dakar. For the continent, scholarships have been doubled and channels for skilled migration promoted, while a political meeting with Sahel countries is scheduled at the beginning of the year to discuss shared growth strategies.

In Asia, Italy played a leading role at the Italian Pavilion at EXPO Osaka, which was awarded Best Pavilion and preparations are already under way in view of EXPO 2030 in Riyadh. Italy's strategy also includes strengthening engagement with ASEAN countries, China and Japan.

As regards the Americas, the United States-Italy's main non-EU market-recorded a 9% increase in exports. For 2026, a EUR 200 million SIMEST measure dedicated to the US market has been approved. Other key areas of focus include Mexico and Mercosur countries, with a business forum scheduled in Miami on the occasion of the G20.

Finally, in Europe-which absorbs around 50% of Italian exports-particular attention is being devoted to the Balkans and to the partnership with Germany, with an Italian-German Government Summit scheduled for January. Italy will also continue to strengthen its presence in Central Asia and the Gulf, with forums planned in Doha, Shanghai and Türkiye.