Dubai:Italy has become the second-largest supplier of oil and gas equipment to the UAE, with its market share projected to rise to 17% by 2026. This figure is nearly double its market share in 2025, as reported by Valerio Soldani, the Italian Trade Commissioner and Director of the Italian Trade Agency's Dubai Office.
According to Wam, Soldani emphasized that the increase pertains to market share rather than export value. Speaking at the ADIPEC 2026 event, he mentioned that about one-third of Italian machinery and technology exports to the UAE are directed towards the oil, gas, and energy sectors.
Italian exports to the UAE reached a record high in 2025, doubling over the past four years across all sectors. Soldani also highlighted the participation of 169 Italian companies at ADIPEC 2026, with 50 under the Italian Trade Agency pavilion. The event coincides with the agency's centenary, celebrating 100 years of promoting Italian products internationally.
ADIPEC is considered a crucial trade exhibition for the Italian Trade Agency, providing opportunities for Italian companies to connect with buyers from the UAE and beyond. The agency plans to expand its exhibition space in future editions and enhance its presence and activities in the UAE, with new initiatives planned for the fourth quarter of 2026.
Soldani noted the significance of the UAE's Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPAs) in facilitating business with various countries. Over 600 Italian companies are established in the UAE, leveraging free zones and opportunities across the emirates to grow their business.
He underscored the importance of long-term relationships in the oil and gas sector, as opposed to frequently changing suppliers after equipment purchases. This approach strengthens bilateral trade cooperation between Italy and the UAE.