Milan was the nerve centre of dialogue between institutions and businesses on the future of Italian internationalisation. The third edition of the National Export Conference (organised as part of the 18th Conference of Italian Ambassadors), held on 18 December at the Stella Polare Congress Centre in Fiera Milano Rho, attracted unprecedented numbers, confirming the increasingly strategic role of economic diplomacy in supporting the national production system, in line with the objectives of the Action Plan for Italian Exports in high-potential non-EU markets. Elevatori Magazine was also present at the event.

The work of Italian diplomacy abroad is increasingly linked to the export of Made in Italy products: the 2025 National Export Conference highlighted the many tools that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, together with the Embassies and all the players in the Italian System, make available to companies to help them export their products.

With approximately 2,150 participants, triple last year’s figure, the event highlighted growing interest on the part of businesses in the opportunities offered by the Italian diplomatic network. Even more significant is the number of requests for meetings with ambassadors, which reached almost 5,000. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs managed to arrange around 1,600 meetings, more than double the 700 organised in the previous edition, involving not only ambassadors but also ICE directors and experts from SACE, SIMEST and Cassa Depositi e Prestiti.

Antonio Tajani, Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, opened the proceedings.

Greetings from Francesco Lollobrigida, Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry.

The focus of the proceedings was the assessment of the Action Plan for Italian exports to high-potential non-EU markets, launched last March by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani, who opened the conference and then gave the floor to the Minister of Agriculture, Francesco Lollobrigida. The plan has already involved around 7,500 companies across all continents, with the organisation of 50 major business forums and almost 5,000 B2B meetings, thereby strengthening the country’s economic system in a concrete way.

Export figures ‘are very positive, we continue to grow in many countries, but overall exports are growing this year. Our action plan is working, the goal is to reach 700 billion in exports by the end of 2027.’ This was stated by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister, Antonio Tajani, at the National Conference on Exports and Business Internationalisation, emphasising that exports are growing in almost every country in the world: “This means that Italian products are popular, despite tariffs and difficulties. Exports account for almost 40% of gross domestic product. We are starting from Milan, the economic capital of the country, to send a message: the government believes in exports, is focusing on exports and is focusing on the businesses that represent the connective tissue of our economy. No Italian entrepreneur working outside the country’s borders will ever be alone, this is the message we want to send,” concluded Tajani.

‘Italian exports currently amount to 623 billion, and the goal is to reach 700 billion. We need to work together, and Europe needs to give us more certainty, because only then can we be competitive’. These are the words of Confindustria President Emanuele Orsini, who also spoke at the National Conference on Exports and Business Internationalisation.

In his speech, Minister Lollobrigida focused on the agreement with Mercosur: “Mercosur is a good agreement, but it could become excellent if, after 25 years, we manage to take a definitive step towards reciprocity. What is imposed on our European producers, which we believe is correct, must also be guaranteed for incoming products. We believe that this step forward can be taken.” This was stated today by the Minister of Agriculture, Francesco Lollobrigida, on the sidelines of the National Conference on Export and Internationalisation of Businesses, currently underway in Milan. A second element, according to Lollobrigida, “is to try to heal the rift within Europe that sees important nations such as France, Poland, Austria and Ireland currently opposed to Mercosur. We believe that it is possible to rebuild a framework that strengthens Europe”.

Italian successes abroad

Particular emphasis was placed on the results achieved in different geographical areas. In Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the largest business forum ever organised by Italy in the country was held, with over 1,000 companies participating, accompanied by a preview of the 2026 Salone del Mobile, confirming double-digit growth in bilateral trade.

In Africa, initiatives in Mauritania, Senegal and Niger have helped to strengthen Italy’s economic presence through business forums and the first Ambassadors’ Conference held in Dakar. Scholarships for the African continent have also been doubled and channels for skilled immigration promoted. A political meeting with the Sahel countries is planned for early next year to discuss shared growth strategies.

On the Asian front, Italy distinguished itself with the Italian Pavilion at the Osaka EXPO, which was awarded the prize for best pavilion, while preparations are already underway for the 2030 EXPO in Riyadh. The strategy also includes strengthening action in ASEAN countries, as well as in China and Japan, key markets for national exports.

As for the Americas, the United States, Italy’s main non-EU market, recorded export growth of 9%. With this in mind, a €200 million SIMEST measure specifically dedicated to the US market has been approved for 2026. Further focus is on Mexico and Mercosur countries, with a business forum planned in Miami during the G20.

Finally, in Europe, which accounts for around 50% of Italian exports, attention remains focused on the Balkans and the strategic partnership with Germany, with an Italian-German government summit scheduled for January. At the same time, Italy will continue to strengthen its presence in Central Asia and the Gulf, with forums already planned in Doha, Shanghai and Turkey.

The National Export Conference thus confirms its role as a fundamental platform for discussion and action, capable of translating the strategic vision of Italian foreign policy into concrete opportunities for businesses in an increasingly competitive and interconnected global context.

During his speech at the panel discussion entitled ‘The role of large companies in supporting SME supply chains’, Cassa Depositi e Prestiti CEO Dario Scannapieco highlighted CDP’s role as a national promotional institution capable of acting as a ‘bridge’ between Italian companies and foreign markets. Also present at the speakers’ table were Regina Corradini d’Arienzo, CEO of Simest, Armando Varricchio, Special Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for Innovation and New Technologies, and industrialists Emma Marcegaglia (Chairwoman and CEO of Marcegaglia Holding), Pierroberto Folgiero (CEO of Fincantieri), Marco Tronchetti Provera (Executive Vice President of Pirelli) and Vito Pertosa (President of Mermec).

“Italian exports have ample room for growth, thanks in part to craftsmanship, which is a valuable calling card on international markets.’ This was emphasised by CNA National President Dario Costantini, speaking at the third edition of the National Conference on Exports and Business Internationalisation, in front of Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigida. The CNA President pointed out that ‘our survey shows that there are around 90,000 businesses in our country with the potential to export. They have all the characteristics needed to sell abroad but are not yet present on international markets.’ How can they be supported? According to Costantini, ‘ICE planning can do a lot, perhaps by providing a priority line for businesses that intend to start approaching foreign markets and have the right conditions.”

Click here to read the programme for the day

The protagonists of the panel “The voice of businesses”: Matteo Zoppas, President of ICE Agency), Veronica Squinzi (Vice President of ASSOLOMBARDA), Andrea Prete (President of UNIONCAMERE), Giovanni Bozzetti (President of Fondazione Fiera Milano), Dario Costantini (President of CNA), Cristian Camisa (President of CONFAPI), Simone Gamberini (President of Legacoop), Barbara Cimmino (Vice President of Confindustria), Giorgio Mercuri (Vice President of CONFCOOPERATIVE), Luca Brondelli di Brondello (Vice President of CONFAGRICOLTURA), Riccardo Garosci (Vice President of CONFCOMMERCIO), Luigi Scordamaglia (CEO of Filiera Italia and Director of Markets, Europe and Internationalisation at COLDIRETTI), Eugenio Massetti (Vice President of CONFARTIGIANATO).

The afternoon sessions

During the day, which was packed with content and meetings, the institutions sought to draw companies’ attention to the export support tools made available to the various players in the “Italian System”: ICE, CDP, SACE and SIMEST. During the thematic workshops held in the afternoon, the many services available to companies that already export and also to those that do not yet do so, perhaps because of their small size, were highlighted: for all of them, a series of services have been designed to support them, accompanying them from the initial stages, with the analysis of potentially interesting markets, and then supporting them in the subsequent stages. One example comes from ICE, whose services can be consulted at this this link.