Leo Cisotta on bridging Italian innovation and UAE opportunity
As Italiacamp EMEA celebrates the second anniversary of the Dubai Hub for Made in Italy in 2025, General Manager Leo Cisotta reflects on what has been more than just a growth journey — it has been the shaping of a bridge between two innovation-driven economies.
Founded in 2023 within the Dubai World Trade Centre, the Hub was established with a clear objective: to accelerate the internationalisation of Italian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the UAE and wider region. Cisotta emphasised that the model is designed not simply to facilitate internationalisation but to ensure long-term, sustainable integration into one of the world's most competitive and fast-evolving markets.
One of the most visible outcomes of this international shift is the Made in Italy Week in the UAE. Held in April 2025 in partnership with the Embassy of Italy in Abu Dhabi, the Consulate General of Italy in Dubai, and the Italian Cultural Institute, the multi-day initiative spanned Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah. It was more than a showcase of Italian excellence — it was a reflection of a nation in motion. Each day's programming celebrated Made in Italy not only in manufacturing, fashion, and food, but also as a manifestation of research, art, creativity, entrepreneurship, and craftsmanship.
Cisotta stresses that partnerships have played a defining role in the Hub's evolution. He cites new collaborations with Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for SME Development (Dubai SME) and the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP) as examples of how
Italiacamp is embedding itself in the UAE's innovation ecosystem. These alliances aim to foster entrepreneurship, facilitate SME growth. 'These are not just institutional alliances but strategic collaborations aligned with the national priorities of the UAE,' he explains.
He also points to the importance of focusing on key sectors where Italian excellence is globally recognised — such as technological advancements, artificial intelligence, industrial innovation, fashion, luxury, and sustainability. By enabling Italian companies to bring their identity and know-how into dialogue with the UAE's development goals, the Hub is creating a new framework for cooperation — one where tradition and innovation reinforce each other.
Looking ahead, Cisotta remains focused on creating impact beyond the commercial. 'What we're building in the UAE is a strategic platform that leverages Italian excellence and Emirati vision to create long-term, regional value.'
For Italiacamp, the UAE represents more than a market. It's a strategic crossroads where economic diplomacy, cultural identity, and innovation intersect. And through the Dubai Hub for Made in Italy, that intersection is becoming a permanent path forward.
As the
Hub looks ahead to new initiatives and expansion across the Gulf, Cisotta remains focused on anchoring the Made in Italy as a forward-looking driver of regional value. 'Italy's identity lies in innovation, and innovation itself is inherently Italian,' he notes. 'It's a mix of history, creativity, and the new things our country is capable of imagining, creating, and producing every day.'
This philosophy—of blending culture, business, and education into a living, adaptive model—is at the heart of Italiacamp's presence in the UAE.
According to Cisotta: 'The future of
Made in Italy lies in our ability to merge deep-rooted heritage with forward-thinking innovation. Italy's strength is not only in its craftsmanship and cultural legacy, but in its capacity to lead in emerging fields — from digital transformation to advanced manufacturing. By aligning this evolving identity with the UAE's vision, we are shaping a model of collaboration that is resilient and future-ready.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
2 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
UAE Lottery: 7 residents bag Dh100,000 each in 13th lucky chance draw
The 13th draw of the Lucky Day, Lucky Chance draw at the UAE Lottery brought life-changing news to seven participants on Saturday, May 31, with each winning Dh100,000 in the weekly Lucky Chance raffle. The jackpot-winning numbers — days 3, 8, 18, 22, 25, and 31 followed by the month 7. Lucky Chance Draw Nunber 250531 announced the following winning ticket numbers: BH3282182 CH5863285 CH5844534 BJ3445984 CL6274201 BE2929558 DC7937029 Each of these ticket holders is now Dh100,000 richer, a reward that could help fulfill long-held dreams, cover family expenses, or support education and savings goals. The UAE's first and only regulated lottery was launched in December last year, offering a Dh100-million jackpot. Depending on how many numbers are matched, players can take home prizes ranging between Dh100 and Dh100 million. While the odds of winning the jackpot are one in over 8 million, "someone in the UAE will win the Dh100 million for sure," Bishop Woosley, director of Lottery Operations at The Game, which operates UAE Lottery, had earlier told Khaleej Times. Asked if the company was working to better the odds, Woosley had said they were looking at 'player preferences, what they play, how much they play and what games they like.' The lottery is for residents aged 18 and above in the UAE. Players are not allowed to participate in the games unless they are physically present in the country at the time of playing. As of now, the prizes are not subject to any taxes.
Khaleej Times
3 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
UAE President, Lebanese head of state discuss regional developments over phone
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and his Lebanese counterpart Joseph Aoun reiterated the importance of stability and security across the region and said that it was vital to promote peace. The two leaders spoke over the phone on Saturday, May 31 during which they discussed relations between the two countries and explored ways to enhance cooperation across various sectors. Earlier in the week, Lebanese Prime Minister Dr. Nawaf Salam was in Dubai for the Arab Media Summit during which he expressed deep gratitude to the UAE and President Sheikh Mohamed for fulfilling promises to allow Emiratis to return to their 'second home' Lebanon. 'Lebanon does not forget the gestures of our brothers in the Arabian Gulf.' Dr. Salam had said. The Lebanese premier said that approximately 190,000 Lebanese citizens live and work in the UAE. UAE and Lebanon agreed to allow citizens to travel after taking the necessary measures to facilitate movement between the two countries and establishing appropriate mechanisms. UAE citizens were allowed to travel to Lebanon effective May 7 but prior registration on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Twajudi platform is mandatory.
Arabian Business
3 hours ago
- Arabian Business
OPEC+ countries announce oil production increase
OPEC+ countries have announced a significant increase to oil production levels in July. The eight OPEC+ countries, which previously announced additional voluntary adjustments in April and November 2023 met virtually on May 31 to review global market conditions and outlook. The countries are: Saudi Arabia Russia Iraq UAE Kuwait Kazakhstan Algeria Oman OPEC+ oil production boost In view of a steady global economic outlook and current healthy market fundamentals, as reflected in the low oil inventories, and in accordance with the decision agreed upon on December 5, 2024 to start a gradual and flexible return of the 2.2 million barrels per day voluntary adjustments starting from 1 April 2025, the eight participating countries will implement a production adjustment of 411,000 barrels per day in July 2025 from June 2025 required production level. This is equivalent to three monthly increments as detailed in the table below. The gradual increases may be paused or reversed subject to evolving market conditions. This flexibility will allow the group to continue to support oil market stability. The eight OPEC+ countries also noted that this measure will provide an opportunity for the participating countries to accelerate their compensation. The eight countries reiterated their collective commitment to achieve full conformity with the Declaration of Cooperation, including the additional voluntary production adjustments that were agreed to be monitored by the JMMC during its 53rd meeting held on April 3, 2024. They also confirmed their intention to fully compensate for any overproduced volume since January 2024.
