Rome views Riyadh as a crucial node in the emerging energy, infrastructure, and technology corridors connecting Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Saudi Arabia, in turn, is diversifying its partnerships beyond traditional allies and looking to European industrial expertise — an area where Italy sees a strategic opportunity.
Driving the news: Italian foreign minister and deputy PM Antonio Tajani to arrive in Riyadh with a 500-company delegation, the largest ever from Italy to the Kingdom.
His visit centres on:
- the Italy–Saudi Arabia Business Forum, gathering 900+ companies;
- the opening of the cultural showcase “Red in progress. Milano meets Riyadh”, ahead of the 2026 Salone del Mobile in the Gulf.
What Tajani is saying: “Saudi Arabia is a major international partner for Italy.”
- He stresses that agreements worth “around 10 billion dollars” signed earlier this year have elevated our bilateral relations to a strategic partnership.”
- Tajani also reiterates Italy’s ambition to anchor the India–Middle East–Europe Corridor (IMEC): “The port of Trieste can become a key European hub in the ‘Cotton Route’ linking Europe and India.”
- KSA has a crucial role in the project: go deeper.
Between the lines: Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 is rapidly reshaping the Kingdom’s economic model. Italy aims to position itself at the heart of this transformation — not as a vendor, but as a long-term industrial and cultural partner.
The experts’ take:
- Musaed al-Zayyani, economic columnist at Asharq al-Awsat, calls the visit “a consolidation of a new phase in Saudi–Italian relations, built on converging views on regional stability, energy security and sustainable development.”
- He notes that the Business Forum “translates political alignment into practical industrial cooperation,” according to his assessment.
- Zayyani also argues that Italy’s cultural presence through the Salone del Mobile preview represents “a confirmation that the relationship is not only economic but cultural and urban, aligned with Saudi Arabia’s evolving creative landscape.” (indirect quote)
- Ahmed bin Hassan al-Shihri, political analyst, frames the mission as “a strategic step in a rapidly accelerating process to deepen Italy–Saudi ties.” He breaks it down across three dimensions:
- Economic: Al-Shihri says the presence of more than 900 companies signals Italy’s intention to make Saudi Arabia a central pillar of its economic policy in the Gulf, particularly as the Kingdom seeks European technology, industrial expertise and investment.
- Cultural: He argues that Italy is leveraging soft power as Saudi Arabia undergoes a cultural boom, seeing the arts and creative industries as “a long-term bridge for people-to-people ties.”
- Political: In a direct remark, al-Shihri states: “This visit is not a routine diplomatic stop — it is a clear expression of a shared desire to elevate the relationship to a more comprehensive level, economically, culturally and politically.”
Together, the analysts suggest that the mission could open doors to new cooperation tracks in energy transition, regional security, and Mediterranean affairs, and set the stage for an expanded Italian presence ahead of the 2026 Salone del Mobile in the Gulf.
In Ambassador words:
- Italian ambassador Carlo Baldocci calls the Forum “a fundamental milestone for turning the strategic partnership into sustainable industrial joint ventures.”
- He highlights that Vision 2030 has created an investment environment “exceptionally aligned with Italy’s strengths,” including hydrogen, advanced energy systems, AI, cybersecurity, smart mobility and defence.
Zoom out: Rome and Riyadh are also aligned on the political need to stabilise the region. Tajani stresses that Italy and Saudi Arabia “share the conviction that only a credible path toward a two-state solution can bring lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians” — a line increasingly central in Italy’s Middle East diplomacy.
What we’re watching:
- Expanded Italian SME presence supported by the new Simest office in Riyadh.
- Follow-up missions on hydrogen, renewables, mobility, infrastructure and defence.
- Stronger cultural programming leading into the 2026 furniture fair.
- Deeper coordination on IMEC’s European landing points.
