A high-level delegation from Abu Dhabi, led by the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), has concluded a series of strategic meetings in Milan, Italy. The delegation engaged with key global financial institutions and industry leaders as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Abu Dhabi’s position in the financial services sector and boost economic growth in priority areas.
### Strengthening Financial Ties
The discussions were focused on enhancing relationships with a diverse range of financial institutions, including asset managers, private equity firms, banks, and family offices, showcasing the depth and variety of the global financial landscape. Key topics included capital deployment, international expansion, and structuring investment opportunities across different sectors, all supported by Abu Dhabi’s stable and efficient business environment.
This initiative follows the Abu Dhabi Economic Delegation’s visit to Italy in January 2026, which resulted in agreements aimed at accelerating the growth of entrepreneurship, industry, advanced manufacturing, financial services, and agricultural technology sectors.
### Participation in Major Events
During the visit, His Excellency Ahmed Jassem Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Department of Economic Development – Abu Dhabi and Chairman of ADGM, attended the launch of the “Salone del Mobile” exhibition, a major global platform for design, manufacturing, and the international retail furniture market. This participation underscores a long-term strategic commitment to fostering cooperation between Abu Dhabi and leading international markets, promoting knowledge exchange and joint initiatives across sectors.
### A Milestone for Economic Engagement
His Excellency Ahmed Jassem Al Zaabi remarked, “These exceptional events serve as critical opportunities to gather leading global financial institutions and influential decision-makers. We prioritize active participation in venues that shape capital flows and investment activities, ensuring that Abu Dhabi is involved in discussions and decision-making processes.”
He noted, “We have successfully established a financial hub based on clear legal frameworks and enforceability, providing long-term stability. Through the ADGM, we offer comprehensive regulatory frameworks that support the structuring of capital and encourage its deployment with confidence within a system designed to facilitate cross-border investments on a broad scale.”
Furthermore, Al Zaabi emphasized that as the “capital of capital,” Abu Dhabi is focused on ensuring that investments are closely tied to the real economy, directing them towards sectors such as industry and trade, which form a fundamental pillar for sustainable growth and reinforce our status as a leading global financial center.
This collaboration contributes to the ongoing growth of the creative industries and retail sectors in Abu Dhabi, while also enhancing the openness and integration of global design systems, solidifying connections between different markets. Al Zaabi and the delegation visited Rak Ceramics, a leading Emirati company with a strong international presence, highlighting the capability of national businesses to operate efficiently across global markets, thus underscoring the critical role of the industrial sector in supporting economic diversification and growing exports.
These meetings reflect Abu Dhabi’s integrated economic approach, which seeks to connect financial services with industrial capabilities and emerging sectors within a cohesive and well-organized framework.