OpportunItaly at the National Conference on Export and Business Internationalisation
Antonio Tajani inaugurated the third edition of the event, where attendance tripled compared with 2024
On 17 December in Milan, the Vice President of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani, inaugurated the third edition of the National Conference on Export and Business Internationalisation. The event recorded a record turnout compared with last year: participation tripled versus 2024, exceeding 2,000 companies. This marked a clear signal of confidence in the initiative aimed at strengthening the production chain and promoting Made in Italy in international markets.
Conference figures
The event helped strengthen dialogue between professionals and institutions. Around 5,000 requests for meetings with Ambassadors were submitted, while during the day the Farnesina facilitated approximately 1,600 strategic meetings—more than double the roughly 700 organised last year—involving, alongside Ambassadors, the Directors of ITA offices and experts from SACE, SIMEST and CDP.
Representatives of Italy’s productive sector were also given the opportunity to meet directly with the heads of more than 150 national diplomatic missions and the Directors of ITA offices.
The results of Italy’s Country System worldwide
During the conference, progress on Italy’s Export Action Plan, launched in March 2025 by Minister Tajani, was presented. Italian companies were promoted across all continents, with a particular focus on high-potential markets. Around 7,500 companies took part in the programme, through which 50 major business forums and nearly 5,000 B2B meetings were organised.
Looking at the work carried out by Italy’s Country System to promote Made in Italy excellence abroad, the figures confirm results that reinforce the country’s commitment to enhancing its production chain. In Saudi Arabia, the largest business forum ever held in the country was organised, while in Africa Italy’s economic positioning was strengthened through missions to Mauritania, Senegal and Niger.
In the United States, exports increased by 9%, with further measures planned to strengthen Italy’s presence in the US, Mexico and Mercosur countries. In Europe, the focus was on the Balkans and on the partnership with Germany.
Promoting Italian companies worldwide: the role of OpportunItaly
Among the initiatives supporting the Export Action Plan and business internationalisation, the OpportunItaly Programme plays a crucial role and is one of the internationalisation tools identified within the Plan itself. During the event, a dedicated stand and an interactive set-up enabled participating companies to explore the programme and the 2026 trade fairs, access the platform and learn more about the strategic tools available to Italian and international businesses. To discover how to accelerate your business, join the programme.
Sources:
Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale