The Business Forum is the flagship conference organised by the Joint Italian Arab Chamber of Commerce to further enhance the strong economic and historical ties that already bind Italy and countries of the Arab World. A natural bridge between Europe, Africa and the Middle East, Italy is called upon to consolidate its role as a strategic player in the Mediterranean and international balance of power, both geopolitically and economically, by promoting a complex, innovative and highly specialised production system that makes it a key partner for the countries on the southern shore of the Mediterranean and the Gulf economies.
The 2026 Edition of the Forum will see Egypt and Oman as Guest Coutries.
The official languages of the Forum will be Italian/Arabic during the Morning Session (with simultaneous translation available), and English during the Afternoon Session.
The morning plenary session will be attended by policy makers, institutional representatives and high-level economic leaders, who will analyse the main dynamics of cooperation between Italy and the Arab world. The proceedings will open with an in-depth look at bilateral relations between Italy and Egypt (with updates on the development of the Mattei Plan), and between Italy and Oman, with a focus on new opportunities, strategic partnerships, innovative approaches and opportunities for collaboration in the infrastructure, logistics and tourism sectors.
The first afternoon session will be dedicated to the role of the private sector as a driver of development in the MENA region will also be explored, with a focus on finance and development, know-how transfer, financial institutions, and multilateral organisations as key tools for supporting economic growth, internationalisation and attracting investment. The debate will address issues such as access to capital, risk sharing and public-private collaboration, including through the analysis of innovative financial models.
Further sessions will tackle the main cross-cutting drivers of future growth, starting with the strategic role of infrastructure and logistics as enablers of market integration. This will be followed by thematic panels on the application of artificial intelligence in the agriculture and healthcare sectors, as well as an in-depth look at water and the environment, key issues for addressing the structural challenges of the Arab region and transforming them into opportunities for sustainable development, innovation and investment.
Beyond its rich content programme, AIBF26 will serve as a high-level networking platform, offering structured B2B and B2G meetings and direct access to key representatives from Italian and Arab institutional, financial and business communities.
A must-attend event, the Arab Italian Business Forum will welcome senior government officials, investment agencies, financial institutions, business leaders and stakeholders, each contributing valuable insights and perspectives shaped by extensive experience and engagement across Italy and the MENA region.