https://www.foreignaffairs.com/
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/issues/2026/105/5
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/russias-plan-break-ukraine
mercoledì 30 settembre 2026
Foreign Affairs magazine
venerdì 25 settembre 2026
Strengthening relations between states committed to a fair and democratic, multilatral order
Canada, alongside the European Union, India, Brazil, Australia, Barbados, and Kenya, launched the Partners for Multilateralism, International Law, Peace and Prosperity (P4M) initiative on September 21, 2026.
The P4M Initiative
- Launch
Date: September 21, 2026, on the sidelines of the 81st
United Nations General Assembly in New York.
- Core
Members: Canada, India, Brazil, Australia,
Barbados, Kenya, and the European Union (joined by additional
signatories).
- Purpose:
Designed to defend multilateralism, reform and strengthen UN institutions,
ensure fair international trade, and build resilient supply chains against
economic coercion.
Bilateral Progress
- Canada-India
Relations: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney
and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are actively working to finalize a
Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) targeting a major
boost in bilateral trade
https://thelogicalindian.com/india-joins-22-countries-in-new-p4m-push-128138/
The European Union and Canada are working to create a
historic "unique alliance," with European Commission President Ursula
von der Leyen proposing in September 2026 that Canada become the EU’s
first-ever associate member.
Key Details of the Proposal
- Associate
Status: The new category of "associate
member" is designed to build a deep transatlantic alignment without
requiring full EU membership.
- Core
Areas: The partnership covers critical raw
materials, artificial intelligence (AI), research, digital trade, and
technology.
- Security
and Defense: Both sides are expanding cooperation
on defense industrial bases and joint procurement
Background and Context
·
The
U.S. Factor:
Tighter ties with Europe come amid strained trade relations and tariff disputes
between Canada and the United States.
·
Political
Talks:
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney visited the European Parliament in
Strasbourg to advocate for the partnership, calling it a beacon for democratic
cooperation.
· Public Support: Recent polls show strong public backing in Canada for building closer foreign policy and economic ties with European nations.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwly7vkke4jxo
https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-canada-new-partnership-ambassador-jonathan-wilkinson/
venerdì 18 settembre 2026
An International Relations Code and the rationale behind it
16 Settembre 2026
CODICE DELLE RELAZIONI INTERNAZIONALI (for
a translation, see below)
Codice delle relazioni internazionali ai
sensi dell’articolo 12 della legge 10 novembre 2025, n. 167 (decreto
legislativo – esame preliminare)
Il Consiglio dei Ministri, su proposta del Presidente
Giorgia Meloni, del Ministro degli affari esteri e della cooperazione
internazionale Antonio Tajani, del Ministro per le riforme istituzionali e la
semplificazione normativa Maria Elisabetta Alberti Casellati e del Ministro per
la pubblica amministrazione Paolo Zangrillo, ha approvato, in esame
preliminare, un decreto legislativo recante il Codice delle relazioni
internazionali.
Il provvedimento, adottato in attuazione della delega
di cui all’articolo 12 della legge 10 novembre 2025, n. 167, raccoglie per la
prima volta in un unico corpo normativo la disciplina di rango primario in
materia di competenza del Ministero degli affari esteri e della cooperazione
internazionale, oggi frammentata in una pluralità di fonti. L’intervento
unifica, uniforma e razionalizza le norme che regolano la struttura, le
funzioni e le attività dell’amministrazione centrale, della rete estera e degli
organi di rappresentanza degli italiani all’estero.
Nell’opera di riordino la disciplina vigente è stata
assemblata, coordinata e adeguata alla realtà attuale, con l’abbandono di
istituti e riferimenti ormai superati e l’adozione di un linguaggio uniforme e
chiaro. In attuazione dei criteri della delega, si è intervenuti anche nel
merito, per semplificare i regimi vigenti e superare disparità di trattamento
non giustificate. Il Codice abbraccia l’intero perimetro delle competenze del
Ministero: dall’organizzazione e dal personale alla proiezione del Sistema Italia
nel mondo (commercio estero e internazionalizzazione delle imprese, promozione
della cultura e della lingua italiana, cooperazione allo sviluppo) fino ai
servizi per i cittadini e le imprese all’estero e alla rappresentanza degli
italiani all’estero.
RIORGANIZZAZIONE DEL MINISTERO DEGLI
AFFARI ESTERI E DELLA COOPERAZIONE INTERNAZIONALE
Regolamento concernente modifiche al
regolamento di riorganizzazione del Ministero degli affari esteri e della
cooperazione internazionale di cui al decreto del Presidente della Repubblica
19 maggio 2010, n. 95 (decreto del Presidente del Consiglio dei Ministri –
esame preliminare)
Il Consiglio dei Ministri, su proposta del Ministro
degli affari esteri e della cooperazione internazionale Antonio Tajani, ha
approvato, in esame preliminare, un regolamento, da adottarsi con decreto del
Presidente del Consiglio dei Ministri, recante modifiche al regolamento di
riorganizzazione del Ministero degli affari esteri e della cooperazione
internazionale, di cui al decreto del Presidente della Repubblica 19 maggio
2010, n. 95.
Il provvedimento, adottato in attuazione della legge
19 gennaio 2026, n. 11, istituisce, tra le strutture dirigenziali di primo
livello del Ministero, il Servizio per la cittadinanza dei residenti
all’estero, incaricato, a partire dal 1° gennaio 2029, della trattazione
centralizzata delle domande di riconoscimento della cittadinanza italiana
presentate dai maggiorenni residenti all’estero. Al Servizio sono attribuite,
tra l’altro, le competenze relative al contenzioso in materia di cittadinanza e
il supporto agli uffici all’estero per le funzioni in tale materia.
Sono conseguentemente adeguate le competenze delle
strutture del Ministero, la composizione del Consiglio di amministrazione e la
dotazione organica.
https://www.italiareportusa.com/politica/la-farnesina-si-rinnova-istituito-il-servizio-per-la-cittadinanza/
also available in English
CODE OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Code of International Relations pursuant to Article 12
of Law No. 167 of 10 November 2025 (legislative decree – preliminary review)
The Council of Ministers, upon the proposal of Prime
Minister Giorgia Meloni, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International
Cooperation Antonio Tajani, Minister for Institutional Reforms and Regulatory
Simplification Maria Elisabetta Alberti Casellati, and Minister for Public
Administration Paolo Zangrillo, has approved—at the preliminary review stage—a
legislative decree establishing the Code of International Relations.
The measure, adopted in implementation of the
delegated authority set out in Article 12 of Law No. 167 of 10 November 2025,
consolidates for the first time into a single legislative body the primary
regulations governing the remit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
International Cooperation—rules that were previously fragmented across a
multitude of sources. This initiative unifies, standardizes, and rationalizes
the regulations governing the structure, functions, and activities of the
central administration, the overseas network, and the representative bodies for
Italians abroad.
In this reorganization process, existing regulations
have been assembled, coordinated, and adapted to current realities, discarding
obsolete mechanisms and points of reference while adopting clear, consistent
language. In accordance with the criteria of the delegated authority,
substantive changes were also made to simplify existing regimes and eliminate
unjustified disparities in treatment. The Code encompasses the full scope of
the Ministry’s competencies: from organization and personnel to the projection
of "System Italy" globally (foreign trade and business
internationalization, promotion of Italian culture and language, development
cooperation), as well as services for citizens and businesses abroad and the
representation of Italians living overseas.
REORGANIZATION OF THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
Regulations amending the reorganization of the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation set forth in the
Decree of the President of the Republic of May 19, 2010, No. 95 (Decree of the
President of the Council of Ministers – preliminary review)
The Council of Ministers, upon the proposal of the
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani, has
approved—at the preliminary review stage—a regulation to be adopted via a
decree of the President of the Council of Ministers. This regulation amends the
reorganization of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
established by the Decree of the President of the Republic of May 19, 2010, No.
95.
The measure, adopted in implementation of Law No. 11
of January 19, 2026, establishes a "Service for the Citizenship of
Residents Abroad" within the Ministry’s first-tier executive structures.
Starting January 1, 2029, this Service will be responsible for the centralized
processing of applications for the recognition of Italian citizenship submitted
by adults residing abroad. The Service is assigned, among other duties,
responsibility for citizenship-related litigation and for providing support for
offices abroad regarding functions in this area.
Consequently, the competencies of the Ministry’s
organizational units, the composition of the Board of Directors, and the
staffing levels are being adjusted accordingly.
mercoledì 16 settembre 2026
The simplification of EU rules, reducing bureaucracy and the situation in Italy.
The
European Union is running a major simplification drive to cut administrative
burdens by 25% overall and 35% for small and medium-sized enterprises
(SMEs), aiming for billions in annual compliance savings.
Core
Simplification Measures
- Omnibus
Simplification Packages:
The EU has introduced multiple omnibus legislative proposals to amend and
group rules simultaneously across 13 key sectors (including sustainability
reporting, taxation, agriculture, and medical devices).
- Omnibus
I Directive:
Entered into force in March 2026, adjusting and easing timelines and
requirements for major corporate reporting frameworks like the CSRD and
CSDDD.
- Public
Procurement Overhaul:
Proposed in September 2026 to shrink the public procurement rulebook from
900 pages down to 200 pages, cutting five procedures down to three (open,
dynamic, and innovation) and launching an integrated EU digital
procurement marketplace.
- New
Small Mid-Caps Category:
Created a dedicated regulatory category covering roughly 38,000 companies
to shield them from heavy single-market red tape.
- Targeted
Cuts: Eased
record-keeping rules for GDPR/data processing for smaller organizations,
postponed battery due diligence deadlines, and reduced reporting
obligations.
- Regulations
over Directives:
The Commission is increasingly pushing rules as directly applicable regulations
instead of directives to crack down on national
"gold-plating" (where member states add extra local bureaucracy
on top of EU rules).
Budget
and Institutional Changes
- Budget
Staff Reductions:
In discussions for the 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework, member
states have backed cuts to administrative spending and EU staff pay.
- Simplicity
by Design:
New commission guidelines aim to assess legislative impacts strictly to
prevent unnecessary red tape before new laws are finalized.
Criticism
and Challenges
- The
"New Regulation" Paradox: Business federations (such as BDI and DIHK) note
that while cuts are promised, the EU continues to churn out high volumes
of secondary legislation, delegated acts, and implementing acts, meaning
many companies have yet to feel real-world relief.
- Implementation
Gap: While
Brussels passes simplification packages, national and local governments
must actively implement them without adding new local paperwork.
https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/single-market/simplification_en
https://commission.europa.eu/topics/competitiveness/simplification_en
and
in Italy
La
burocrazia in Italia costa circa 80 miliardi di euro all'anno e frena il 74%
delle imprese, ma si può ridurre attraverso interventi concreti su
digitalizzazione, norme e Pubblica Amministrazione.
1.
Interoperabilità e digitalizzazione reale
- Banche
dati unificate: Collega
i database di Agenzia delle Entrate, INPS e comuni per evitare che i
cittadini debbano reinserire dati già noti.
- Principio
Once-Only: Chiedi
un documento o un'informazione alla persona una sola volta.
- Intelligenza
Artificiale nei controlli: Automatizza
i passaggi formali e sposta il personale su pratiche complesse.
2.
Taglio e riordino delle leggi
- Cancellazione
massiva: Abroga
migliaia di leggi vecchie e sovrapposte (l'Italia conta oltre 119.000 atti
normativi vigenti).
- Silenzio-assenso
universale: Trasforma
l'inerzia della Pubblica Amministrazione in un via libera dopo scadenze
brevi (es. 30 o 60 giorni).
- Testi
Unici per settore: Riunisci
le regole sparse in un unico codice chiaro per edilizia, energia e
commercio.
⏱️ 3. Riforma dei tempi e dei permessi
- Accelerazione
cantieri: Riduci
i tempi per autorizzare opere e stabilimenti (oggi servono in media 3 anni
per aprire un impianto).
- Responsabilità
dei dirigenti: Lega
la valutazione e lo stipendio dei funzionari pubblici alla velocità delle
risposte e non solo alla forma.
- Corsi
di semplificazione obbligatori: Formare
i dipendenti pubblici a una cultura del "fare" anziché della
pura conformità formale.
📊 Quadro della situazione attuale
|
Ambito |
Dato
attuale in Italia |
Obiettivo
/ Standard europeo |
|
Soddisfazione
utenti PA |
48,3%
(29° posto OCSE) |
>
65% (Media OCSE) |
|
Imprese
bloccate dalla burocrazia |
74% |
66%
(Media UE) |
|
Tempo
per aprire uno stabilimento |
~3
anni |
Meno
di 6-12 mesi |
Italy
is working to cut red tape through structural reforms, though businesses still
face heavy administrative and fiscal burdens.
Key
Actions and Reforms
- National
Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP): Italy is implementing 63 structural and sectoral
reforms to digitize procedures, cut administrative processing times, and
streamline investment authorizations.
- Public
Administration Updates:
- Public
competitions now evaluate real competencies and soft skills instead of
just raw memorization.
- A
new mid-to-top level civil service fast-track relies on merit-based exams
rather than political appointments.
- Continuous
training and digital "smart working" frameworks are being
integrated into government offices.
- Investment
Support: The
National Unit for Investment Attraction acts as a mediator to help
companies connect with supply chains, regulatory bodies, and innovation
ecosystems.
Current
State and Ongoing Challenges
- High
Business Costs:
Italian companies still spend an estimated €57 billion annually to comply
with bureaucratic rules.
- Time
on Paperwork:
Business owners and staff spend an average of 238 hours per year just
handling tax and administrative compliance.
- Mixed
Results:
While official frameworks and digital portals are expanding, critics and
economists note that deep-rooted inefficiencies, a complex tax code, and
slow permitting continue to hinder small and medium-sized enterprises
(SMEs).
https://www.investinitaly.gov.it/en/about-us/red-tape-reduction
https://ceridap.eu/civil-service-reforms-in-italy-between-mythology-and-reality/?lng=en
2023
https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2026/06/18/ricerca-istruzione-italia-sprechi-burocrazia/8419995/
2026
Nel
2026, la valutazione dei progressi sulla riduzione della burocrazia in
Italia evidenzia un quadro a due velocità. Da un lato, l'azione legislativa
spinta dalle scadenze del PNRR ha introdotto riforme strutturali e importanti
semplificazioni digitali per cittadini e imprese. Dall'altro, il tessuto
produttivo (soprattutto le PMI) continua a percepire il carico amministrativo
come una grave zavorra economica.
Ecco
un bilancio dettagliato dei progressi compiuti e dei nodi ancora da sciogliere.
Progressi:
Cosa è stato semplificato
Il
motore principale del cambiamento è stato il Decreto PNRR 2026 (D.L.
19/2026, convertito nella Legge 50/2026), che ha imposto la revisione e lo
snellimento di oltre 400 adempimenti amministrativi.
1.
Per i Cittadini
- ISEE
Automatico:
Le Pubbliche Amministrazioni (università, scuole, comuni) possono ora
acquisire direttamente l'indicatore dalle banche dati dell'INPS senza
richiederlo ogni volta al cittadino, eliminando l'obbligo di presentare la
DSU per molte prestazioni sociali.
- Anagrafe
e Identità Digitale:
Introdotta la durata illimitata (o a 50 anni) della Carta d'Identità
Elettronica (CIE) per gli ultrasettantenni. È stata inoltre implementata
la tessera elettorale digitale direttamente tramite l'Anagrafe Nazionale
della Popolazione Residente (ANPR).
- Accesso
ai Minori: I
ragazzi dai 14 anni in su possono ora accedere autonomamente ad alcune
funzionalità dell'App IO.
2.
Per le Imprese
- Interoperabilità
e Canale Unico:
Si è rafforzato il principio del "once-only",
costringendo le amministrazioni a dialogare tra loro per via telematica
senza chiedere alle imprese dati già in possesso dello Stato.
- Taglio
degli obblighi contabili obsoleti: È stato definitivamente abrogato l'obbligo di
conservazione per 10 anni delle ricevute cartacee del POS.
- Fattore
Edilizia e Opere Strategiche:
Sono stati ridotti i tempi di risposta per le Valutazioni di Impatto
Ambientale (VIA) e per le autorizzazioni paesaggistiche, potenziando i
"poteri sostitutivi" del Governo in caso di inerzia o silenzi
burocratici degli enti locali.
I
Limiti: I problemi strutturali che rimangono
Nonostante
lo sforzo di digitalizzazione ("digitalizzazione formale"), la
burocrazia reale resta complessa. I costi e i tempi imposti alle imprese
italiane rimangono tra i più alti d'Europa.
- Una
tassa da 80 miliardi:
Le stime fornite dai centri studi (tra cui CGIA di Mestre e Federcepicostruzioni) confermano che gli oneri
amministrativi costano al sistema produttivo italiano oltre 80 miliardi di
euro all'anno (circa il 3-4% del PIL).
- L'iper-regolamentazione: L'Italia sconta ancora una
stratificazione normativa enorme. Il portale Normattiva rileva oltre
119.000 atti normativi vigenti pubblicati nell'ultimo secolo, alimentando
l'incertezza del diritto.
- La
percezione delle imprese:
Circa il 74% delle imprese italiane ritiene le procedure amministrative un
grave ostacolo allo sviluppo (contro una media UE del 66%). Un
imprenditore spende in media oltre 300 ore all'anno solo per gestire
adempimenti cartacei e legali.
- Ritardi
locali: I
progressi non sono omogenei. Mentre i ministeri centrali hanno
digitalizzato gran parte delle procedure, i colli di bottiglia si
concentrano a livello locale (Comuni e Regioni), specialmente nel
Mezzogiorno, a causa della carenza di personale qualificato e di
infrastrutture IT obsolete.
Tabella
riassuntiva dei Progressi 2026
|
Area |
Cosa
è migliorato |
Dove
si riscontrano ancora blocchi |
|
Cittadini |
ISEE
automatico, documenti digitali su ANPR, scadenze d'identità allungate. |
Scarsa
digitalizzazione sostanziale nei piccoli comuni. |
|
Imprese
/ PMI |
Addio
a ricevute POS fisiche, canali unici digitali per le pratiche. |
Costo
della burocrazia fermo a 80 miliardi/anno; 313 ore perse in moduli. |
|
Grandi
Opere |
Taglio
dei tempi per VIA e autorizzazioni strategiche PNRR. |
Sovrapposizione
di competenze e troppe leggi attive contemporaneamente. |
Il
giudizio dell'Europa
Nelle sue raccomandazioni, la Commissione Europea riconosce l'efficacia delle riforme d'emergenza agganciate al piano Italia Semplice e al PNRR, ma rimarca che per l'Italia la vera sfida del post-2026 sarà trasformare la "semplificazione sulla carta" in efficienza strutturale e quotidiana per gli utenti, eliminando le difformità tra i diversi uffici pubblici.
2026 State of the Union Address by President von der Leyen
Download here
https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/it/speech_26_1868
https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/speech_26_1868
text
European Union invites Canada to become
first ever ‘associate member’
and the Canadian response
lunedì 14 settembre 2026
Economic diplomacy - an example, London and the UK
https://amblondra.esteri.it/en/italia-e-regno-unito/diplomazia-economica/
https://amblondra.esteri.it/en/italia-e-regno-unito/diplomazia-economica/fare-affari-in-italia/
https://www.infomercatiesteri.it/paese.php?id_paesi=85
https://www.infomercatiesteri.it/presenza_italiana.php?id_paesi=85
e.g. https://uk.leonardo.com/en/home
https://www.infomercatiesteri.it/perchepaese.php?id_paesi=85
https://www.infomercatiesteri.it/dove_investire.php?id_paesi=85
https://www.infomercatiesteri.it/dove_vendere.php?id_paesi=85
https://www.italchamind.org.uk/
click at the top right for Italian
https://icciuk.org.uk/it/servizi/
https://www.italchamind.org.uk/it/servizi-aziendali/
look at this page in detail
https://www.italchamind.org.uk/business-services/
https://icciuk.org.uk/en/services/business-matching/
https://icciuk.org.uk/en/services/marketing-communication/
https://icciuk.org.uk/en/services/startup-support/
https://icciuk.org.uk/en/services/business-events/
https://icciuk.org.uk/en/services/meeting-rooms-hot-desks/
https://icciuk.org.uk/en/services/downloadable-documents/
https://icciuk.org.uk/en/the-chamber/members/
https://www.sace.it/mappe/dettaglio/regno-unito
https://www.sace.it/en/about-us
https://www.sace.it/media/comunicati-e-news/dettaglio-news/investimenti-all'estero
https://www.simest.it/en/simest-offer/soft-loans/facilitated-financing-for-internationalization/
https://www.ice.it/en/markets/united-kingdom/london
https://www.ice.it/it/mercati/regno-unito
https://www.ice.it/it/mercati/regno-unito/londra
https://www.ice.it/it/mercati/regno-unito/info-desk-innovazione-e-start-0
and an independent Italian business initiative in
London https://italiabusinesshub.co.uk/
and investment in Italy
https://www.investinitaly.gov.it/en
https://www.investinitaly.gov.it/index.php/en/why-italy/our-leadership
click on Sectors and Doing Business too
https://www.investinitaly.gov.it/index.php/en/why-italy/competitiveness-pillars
https://www.investinitaly.gov.it/en/business-location
The Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the UK (ICCIUK)
marked its milestone 140th anniversary in 2026 by championing bilateral trade,
regional investment, and entrepreneurial success between Italy and the United
Kingdom.
Key Milestones and Growth Highlights
(2025–2026)
- Bilateral
Trade Strength: UK-Italy trade relations continued
to expand, with Italian exports to the UK surpassing £29 billion and
reciprocal investments nearing €95 billion.
- Casa
Italia Openings: The opening of Casa Italia in
London—uniting the Embassy, the Italian Trade Agency, and the Italian
Cultural Institute—provided a central hub for supporting growing Italian
enterprises in the UK.
- Strategic
Regional Summits: ICCIUK structured key
cross-border dialogues, including the upcoming Annual Conference 2026 (The
Power of Regions: How Sicily and Wales Drive Investment, Innovation and
Growth) hosted at The Dorchester in London.
Notable Entrepreneurial & Business
Success Stories
- Talented
Young Italians Awards (Dec 2025): Celebrated rising
Italian innovators and leaders under 40 shaping the UK market across
diverse sectors:
- Mirco
Bulega (Finance & Services)
- Anna
Irrera (Media & Communications)
- Michele
Pascarella (Industry & Commerce)
- Francesca
Morreale (Research & Innovation)
- Marco
De Simone (Hospitality)
- Pietro
Arina (Biomedical Sciences)
- Flavia
Frigeri (Arts & Culture)
- SME
and Brand Expansions: The Chamber facilitated market
entry and UK consolidation for various Made-in-Italy brands across food,
wine, beauty, and tech—highlighted through platforms like the Moving to
Italy seminar series and regular B2B networking forums.
The Italian Trade Agency (ITA) London Office
has reported strong commercial impacts and widespread engagement throughout its
2025–2026 operations, driving the growth of Italian small and medium-sized
enterprises (SMEs) in the UK and Irish markets.
According to their 2026 mid-year operational data, the
London office successfully delivered 35 high-impact events and initiatives,
actively involving 402 Italian companies and engaging 230 UK and
Irish stakeholders.
Key sectoral success stories and milestones from this
period include:
1. High-Tech and Artificial Intelligence
Expansion
At the AI Summit London 2026 (a core fixture of
London Tech Week), the ITA established a dedicated Italian Pavilion.
- The
Scale: The initiative successfully debuted 22
cutting-edge Italian startups and tech companies to the UK market.
- The
Outcome: Led by ITA London Director Giovanni
Sacchi, the mission facilitated direct B2B matchmaking with international
venture capitalists, corporate buyers, and British tech leaders to
accelerate funding and cross-border tech integration.
2. Horticultural and Plant Export Surges
Bilateral green trade between Italy and the UK reached
major milestones following targeted ITA trade missions.
- The
Figures: Driven by intense promotional
activity, Italian exports of live plants to the UK hit €43 million.
- Key
Actions: In September 2026, the ITA wrapped
up a major four-day business mission at the Four Oaks Trade Show in
collaboration with the Italian Embassy and the national nursery
association (ANVE). The agency also hosted the Greenitaly Agorà at
London's Farmers Club to connect Italian landscape and nursery innovators
directly with British urban regeneration projects.
3. EdTech Breakthroughs
The educational technology sector saw an unprecedented
level of visibility during winter trade campaigns.
- BETT
London: The ITA organized a massive showing
at the global EdTech hub, anchoring a multi-day showcase for Italian
digital learning tools.
- Ecosystem
Synergy: In tandem with the event, the ITA
and the Italian Embassy hosted an exclusive ecosystem matchmaking event at
Casa Italia. The initiative directly connected Italian EdTech
pioneers with major UK investment players and venture funds, including
techUK and Emerge VC.
4. Consolidation of Traditional "Made
in Italy" Sectors
Despite post-Brexit logistical shifts and global
economic headwinds, the ITA successfully insulated and grew market share for
traditional manufacturing sectors:
- Agrifood
Resiliency: Targeted retail partnerships pushed
Italian agrifood exports up +4.2%, accounting for over 12% of all
Italian exports into the London hub.
- Fashion
& Design: Through initiatives like the Scoop
International London collective pavilion and the London Design
Festival, the ITA repositioned Italian apparel and high-end natural stone
manufacturers to adapt to modern UK boutique buying habits (shifting
toward coordinated lifestyle layouts rather than isolated product sourcing).
Many major Italian multinationals
maintain a massive commercial and operational footprint in London and across
the United Kingdom through 2025 and 2026. Despite macroeconomic shifts, the UK
remains one of Italy's most strategic trading partners.
The Italian companies with the most dominant presence
in the UK operate across four main sectors:
Aerospace, Defense and Engineering
- Leonardo
S.p.A.
As a pillar of the UK’s defense ecosystem, Leonardo represents one of the largest industrial footprints of any foreign firm. Employing over 8,000 people across several major UK sites (including Edinburgh, Yeovil, and Luton), they are deeply embedded in Ministry of Defence contracts. Notably, Leonardo is actively bidding its M-346 aircraft to replace the Royal Air Force's BAE Systems Hawk. - Prysmian
Group
The world leader in energy and telecom cable systems has a critical footprint in the UK, overseeing major national grid infrastructure upgrades and clean energy transitions across the country.
Banking and Financial Services
London serves as the ultimate international financial
hub for Italy’s primary institutions:
- Intesa
Sanpaolo and UniCredit
Both of Italy's largest banking giants operate heavy corporate and investment banking (CIB) hubs in the City of London, managing multi-billion dollar cross-border financial syndications. - Mediobanca
Maintains a highly active corporate finance and asset management advisory arm right out of its London office. - FinecoBank
Enjoys an expansive retail footprint in the UK, serving as a highly popular online trading and brokerage platform for British consumers.
Energy and Infrastructure
- Eni
The energy giant operates broad-scale upstream oil and gas exploration assets in the North Sea and is rapidly scaling its UK footprint via carbon capture and storage (CCS) initiatives, such as the HyNet North West project. - Enel
Through its various trading arms and renewable energy offshoots, Enel handles massive electricity and commodities trading operations directly out of London.
Luxury, Retail and Hospitality
London acts as the commercial gateway for Italy's
premium sectors, supported heavily by the Italian Trade Agency's London
office.
- Luxury
Fashion Houses
Brands like Prada Group, Moncler, and Brunello Cucinelli own multiple flagship boutiques across Mayfair, New Bond Street, and Knightsbridge, and employ thousands across retail operations and UK corporate headquarters. - Campari
Group
The spirits giant has a robust corporate base in London overseeing its massive market share in the British beverage and hospitality sectors. - Big
Mamma Group
In the culinary space, this highly popular Italian hospitality group employs hundreds of people across London at famous, high-volume trattorias like Circolo Popolare and Gloria.
The Italian Trade Agency (ITA) helps UK
companies invest, expand, and set up operations in Italy through its Invest
in Italy department and specialized UK-based desks.
Key Services for UK Investors
- Initial
Guidance & Market Intelligence: Provides data on
legal frameworks, tax rules, sector ecosystems, and regional clusters via
the Italian Trade Agency.
- Brexit
and FDI Support: Operates dedicated Brexit and
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) desks to navigate post-Brexit trade and
regulatory transitions.
- Incentive
Navigation: Helps investors identify national
grants, subsidized loans, multi-year funds, and tax reliefs (such as the
National Recovery and Resilience Plan allocations).
- Site
Selection and Tutoring: Assists with
location identification, permit requirements, and long-term tutoring for
strategic investments.
- Partner
Matching: Connects foreign firms with Italian
supply chains, joint-venture partners, and local institutions
The Italian Trade Agency (ITA), working
alongside the Invest in Italy program, actively
supports UK companies looking to establish or expand their footprints in Italy.
Through its dedicated Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) desk at the ITA London
Office, the agency facilitates cross-border operations during the 2025–2026
period.
Investment Value and Trade Context
- Overall
FDI Target: Italy’s overall foreign direct
investment influx is estimated to reach €35 billion, driven heavily
by expansions in high-tech and advanced sectors. [1]
- UK-Italy
Trade & Investment Volume: According to
official UK government factsheets tracking metrics into 2026, the total
trade in goods and services between the UK and Italy sits at £53.7
billion. Within this, total UK exports (which include commercial
investments and services supply) amount to £19.7 billion, with
services accounting for the majority share at 52.3% (£10.3
billion).
Key Sectors Targeted for UK Investors
The ITA prioritizes several strategic, high-growth
ecosystems where UK corporate strengths align with Italian government
incentives (such as the Italian Chips Act and the Green New Deal).
- Greentech
and Circular Economy: Focuses on renewable energy
production and sustainable materials. Italy maintains an 18.7% circular
material use rate, making it a prime hub for UK clean-energy firms.
- Life
Sciences and Healthcare: Attracting UK
biotech and pharma companies leveraging Italy’s strong clinical research
framework.
- Advanced
Manufacturing and Mechatronics: Automation,
robotics, and industrial machinery, capitalizing on Italy's status as the
second-largest manufacturer in Europe.
- ICT,
AI and EdTech: Supported by collaborative platforms
like the BETT UK showcase, ITA actively channels investments into digital
creativity, software engineering, and artificial intelligence.
- Aerospace
and Microelectronics: Backed by heavy contributions
to the European Space Agency (ESA) and domestic microchip funding
frameworks.
- Real
Estate and Hospitality (Tourism): Driven by
structured incentive packages, tax credits, and joint promotional
campaigns (like the Area Italia framework at the International
Hospitality Investment Forum) aimed at institutional investors.
How ITA Helps UK Companies
UK enterprises can access end-to-end guidance from the
ITA Foreign Investments Attraction Department:
- Tax
and Incentive Navigation: Guiding firms
through regional and national grants, hyper-depreciation tax benefits, and
R&D credits.
- Site
Selection: Matching corporate requirements to
regional innovation clusters and Mediterranean logistics hubs.
- B2B Matchmaking: Leveraging the ITA Partner Directory to pair UK capital with local industrial providers.
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