The Italy-Spain business meeting was held in Rome, at Palazzo Colonna, as part of H.M. King Philip VI's state visit to Italy, in the presence of 130 Spanish and Italian companies to discuss the strategic alliances between the two countries and the challenges and prospects for a future of sustainable growth within the new European cycle.

The meeting, organised by Confindustria, CEOE, the Secretariat of State for Trade - ICEX and the Spanish Chamber of Commerce, was attended by H.M. King Philip VI of Spain e of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani, of Confindustria's Vice President for Export and Investment Attraction Barbara Cimmino, of the President of CEOE Antonio Garamendi, as well as the Secretary of State for Trade and President of ICEX España Exportación e Inversiones, Amparo López Senovilla and the President of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce, José Luis Bonet.

The Business Summit was preceded by a restricted breakfast where the King of Spain was welcomed by Minister Tajani, Confindustria President Emanuele Orsini and CEOE President Antonio Garamendi.

"Economic relations between Italy and Spain are strong, with over 2,000 Italian companies in Spain generating 690 thousand jobs and a turnover of more than 400 million. This connection, based on complementary production systems and a common manufacturing vocation, still offers ample room for growth. Strengthening collaboration in the areas of sustainability, digitisation and energy transition is essential to address shared challenges and increase competitiveness. Together, we can promote a European agenda that enhances our industries and the role of the European Union in the global context', said Barbara Cimmino, Confindustria Vice President for Export and Investment Attraction.

"The support provided by the presence of His Majesty the King at this meeting plays a key role in continuing to make progress in the joint work of collaboration and strengthening trade relations between Spain and Italy. We need to be able to continue to strengthen our ties and find a common voice when it comes to defining the way forward at European level, from a commercial point of view. We want to encourage more Spanish companies to be present in Italy, just as we want to welcome more Italian companies to Spain,' he added the president of CEOE, Antonio Garamendi.

Institutional greetings and a debate on industrial and trade relations between the two countries were followed by sectoral round tables on Infrastructure, Mobility and Transport; Energy, Environment and Green Transition; Industry, Defence and Technology; and Finance, Insurance and Investment.

Trade between Italy and Spain exceeds EUR 73 billion, with EUR 66.1 billion related to trade in goods, confirming the common industrial vocation. Spain is Italy's fifth largest trading partner, while we are Spain's third. Italian direct investments in Spain amount to 43.2 billion euros, while Spanish investments in Italy reach 18.7 billion. These numbers show a deep connection, but there is still room to strengthen collaboration.