Italian innovator, Leo Cisotta, explores possibilities in the UAE market
On the second anniversary of the Dubai Hub for Made in Italy in 2025, General Manager Leo Cisotta reflects on the development of a bridge connecting two dynamically innovative economies. Established by Italiacamp EMEA within the Dubai World Trade Centre in 2023, the Hub's purpose was clear - to foster the internationalization of Italian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the UAE and the wider region.
Cisotta stresses the Hub's model extends beyond facilitating internationalization, aiming instead for long-term, sustainably integrative collaboration in one of the world's most competitive and rapidly evolving markets. A notable outcome of this initiative is the annual Made in Italy Week in the UAE, which, in partnership with various entities, showcases Italian excellence across multiple sectors, including manufacturing, fashion, food, research, art, and entrepreneurship.
Collaborations have significantly shaped the Hub's growth, with key partnerships forged with Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for SME Development (Dubai SME) and the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP). These alliances are designed to foster entrepreneurship and drive sustainable small-to-medium enterprise growth.
Looking ahead, Italiacamp EMEA plans to extend its reach across the Gulf, while Cisotta remains focused on establishing the Made in Italy brand as a forward-thinking driver of regional value. "Italy's identity lies in innovation, and innovation itself is inherently Italian," he notes. By aligning Italy's evolving identity with the UAE's vision, the Hub is shaping a resilient and future-ready model of collaboration.
The Dubai Hub for Made in Italy is a strategic platform leveraging Italian excellence, Emirati vision, and innovation to create long-term, regioletal value. For Italiacamp EMEA, the UAE represents a vital crossroads where economic diplomacy, cultural identity, and innovation intersect. Through the Dubai Hub, this intersection is becoming a permanently forward-moving path.
According to Cisotta, the future of Made in Italy lies in merging deep-rooted heritage with forward-thinking innovation. Italy's strength is in its craftsmanship, cultural legacy, and capacity to lead in emerging fields, such as digital transformation, advanced manufacturing, and artificial intelligence. By aligning this evolving identity with the UAE's vision, Italiacamp EMEA is fostering a model of collaboration that is resilient and future-ready.
Since its establishment, the Dubai Hub for Made in Italy has focused on strengthening economic and strategic ties between Italy and the UAE in the business and trade sectors. Through strategic agreements, active stakeholder engagement, and high-profile promotional events, Italian products have gained increased visibility and market penetration in the UAE. The Hub serves as a central point for Italian enterprises looking to expand in the UAE and broader Middle East.
- The Dubai Hub for Made in Italy is not just a bridge for Italian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to internationalize in the UAE, but a platform for sustainably integrative collaboration in one of the world's most competitive markets.
- The annual Made in Italy Week in the UAE, organized by the Hub, highlights Italian excellence across various sectors, including education-and-self-development, fashion, food, health, tech, finance, culture, business, lifestyle, entertainment, and general news.
- The Hub's growth has been significantly shaped by collaborations with entities like Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for SME Development (Dubai SME) and the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP), aiming to foster entrepreneurship and drive sustainable small-to-medium enterprise growth.
- Italiacamp EMEA plans to extend its reach across the Gulf, while maintaining a focus on establishing the Made in Italy brand as a forward-thinking driver of regional value and innovation.
- For Italiacamp EMEA, the UAE represents a vital crossroads where economic diplomacy, cultural identity, and innovation intersect, creating long-term, regional value through the Dubai Hub.
- According to General Manager Leo Cisotta, the future of Made in Italy lies in merging deep-rooted heritage with forward-thinking innovation, leveraging Italy's strength in craftsmanship, cultural legacy, and capacity to lead in emerging fields like digital transformation, advanced manufacturing, and artificial intelligence.
- Through strategic agreements, active stakeholder engagement, and high-profile promotional events, the Dubai Hub for Made in Italy has increased the visibility and market penetration of Italian products in the UAE, serving as a central point for Italian enterprises looking to expand in the UAE and broader Middle East.
- The Dubai Hub for Made in Italy is a strategic platform that aligns Italy's evolving identity with the UAE's vision, shaping a resilient and future-ready model of collaboration that also involves aspects like investing and general news.