GIANPAOLO BRUNO

The Italian Trade Agency is the governmental organisation in charge of the international development of Italian companies. We caught up with its Trade Commissioner to the UAE, Oman and Pakistan to discuss the agency’s role in facilitating business in the UAE.

What is the outlook for Italy’s energy market?

The Italian energy market is wide, competitive and focused on renewable energy sources. Production, trade and retail activities in the Italian energy market are fully liberalised, while transmission and distribution services are subject to concession schemes. Italy is among the main producers of electricity in the Eurozone and second only to Germany and France. Current national production fulfils 87 per cent of domestic demand (37 million customers). As for renewable resources, Italy is second only to Canada in renewable energy generation among the G7 nations.

How does the Italian Trade Agency promote Italian energy companies?

Renewable energy has been prioritised in the Italian Annual Promotional Programme, which encompasses all the activities carried out by the Italian Trade Agency (ITA) to promote Italian companies worldwide. Within the programme, energy companies get support through Italian pavilions set up during international trade fairs devoted to the sector and through outward and inward business missions with associated B2B meetings and site visits. Technical seminars are also arranged to promote the commercialisation of Italian technologies and know-how.

What services are offered to companies looking at opportunities in the UAE?

The ITA provides personalised services to Italian companies in the sector through dedicated market research projects, publication of news on business opportunities, assistance on major international tenders, search for international partners and assistance on legal, tax, financial and custom matters. ITA also organises training programmes for managers of energy companies dealing with international development programmes.