When in Bari. On Monday, Deputy Foreign Minister Edmondo Cirielli participated in an event organised by the Chamber of Commerce of Bari to promote a strategy for revitalising Italian exports to the East, with a focus on India and Central Asia.
- According to Italian National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT) data, there was a decline in both the volume and value of Italian extra-EU exports in April.
- In today’s complex geopolitical environment, market diversification is crucial—and Asia offers concrete opportunities to regain momentum.
Decoding the news. Over the past three years, Italy has demonstrated a strong interest in engaging with the Indo-Pacific—a region considered vital to the global future—with economic and trade relations serving as a key driver.
- In the past three months, there have been two Italy-India business forums (in New Delhi and Brescia) and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s mission to Central Asia in May.
The critical issue. As around 70,000 Italian companies can export but are absent from international markets, unlocking this potential is a priority.
- ISTAT estimates Italy’s untapped export potential in Asia at over €4 billion.
- Cirielli emphasised a multi-level, multi-dimensional approach to creating “new commercial opportunities for Italian producers.”
- The East is not a distant option—it’s already “a strategic reality”, Cirielli said, for the future of the global economy.
The international picture. While US-China trade dropped 30% year-on-year in May, China’s trade with the EU and ASEAN increased.
- Europe (including Italy) risks becoming a passive actor, exposed to dumping from Chinese overproduction in a systemic decoupling scenario with the United States.
The way forward. While maintaining economic ties with Beijing, Italy aims to broaden its trade outreach to emerging economies, including India, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Central Asia, on top of the agenda.
- These markets are seeing strong demand for high-quality goods and Made in Italy products.
What we’re watching. For Italy, this is a tangible lever to boost exports and rebalance the trade deficit.
- Cirielli’s message from Bari—Italy’s easternmost province—clarifies the strategic direction.
