High-Level Bilateral Meeting Between Piyush Goyal and Antonio Tajani
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, held a high-level bilateral meeting with the Italian Deputy Prime Minister in Mumbai. Discussions focused on expanding trade, enhancing supply chain resilience, strengthening technology partnerships, and widening collaboration in clean mobility, renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, and food processing.
Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to transforming the India–Italy Strategic Partnership into tangible economic outcomes and facilitating stronger business-to-business linkages.
Sectoral Roundtables and Innovation Pitch Sessions
The Forum began with sector-specific roundtables and pitching sessions that covered Automotives, Waste-to-Energy & Renewables, Sports Technologies & Sports Textiles, and Agri-food. These sessions enabled targeted interactions between industry delegations, promoted co-development opportunities, and laid the groundwork for joint ventures, R&D collaborations, and integrated value chains.
Italian companies also presented cutting-edge technologies and investment models, receiving strong interest from Indian counterparts seeking to expand global partnerships.
Plenary Session: Outcomes and Strategic Direction
The plenary session, attended by both ministers, included presentations from key sector leads summarizing the outcomes of the roundtable dialogues. Representatives from CDP, Invest India, SACE, ASSOCHAM, SIMEST, FICCI, CII, Confindustria, and the Italian Trade Agency participated in the discussions.
Special remarks by H.E. Antonio Tajani highlighted Italy’s commitment to strengthening its economic presence in India. Shri Piyush Goyal, in his closing statement, emphasized the importance of fostering innovation, industrial cooperation, and sustainable growth through the India–Italy partnership.
Strengthening Digital Innovation & Startup Ecosystem Links
The ministers also held an interactive session with leading Indian unicorn founders, focusing on collaboration opportunities in digital innovation, fintech, AI, deep-tech, and industrial technology solutions. This engagement underscored the growing alignment between the two countries’ innovation ecosystems.
Large-Scale B2B Matchmaking
One of the major highlights of the Forum was a comprehensive B2B matchmaking session involving over 100 business interactions between companies from both nations. Discussions covered manufacturing, renewables, food processing, sports innovation, and transportation technologies ifurther opening avenues for long-term partnerships and investments.
Signing of Agreed Minutes of the 22nd India–Italy JCEC
The most significant outcome of the event was the signing of the Agreed Minutes of the 22nd session of the India–Italy Joint Commission for Economic Cooperation (JCEC). The agreement operationalizes discussions held during the JCEC sessions and charts a concrete roadmap for future economic collaboration.
This development builds on the momentum generated when India and Italy elevated their ties to a “Strategic Partnership” during Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s visit to New Delhi in March 2023.
Key MoUs Signed at the Forum
- SIMEST and ICC signed a strategic MoU to support Italian companies entering India and promote bilateral investments.
- SAIL and Danieli Group finalised three major steel plant projects worth approximately €500 million, involving green technology for a Blast Furnace, Slab Caster, and Hot Strip Mill.
- PRADA S.p.A., LIDCOM, and LIDKAR signed an MoU to develop a limited-edition sandal line inspired by traditional Kolhapuri chappals, blending Italian design and Indian craftsmanship.
- Kuvera S.p.A. and Neopolis Brands Pvt. Ltd. agreed to expand Carpisa retail operations in India, with a long-term plan to open 100 stores by 2045.
- Cavagna Group established a joint venture, Cavagna Group Ace Brass Tech Pvt. Ltd., representing a €5 million Italian investment.
A Stronger Economic Future Together
The Italy–India Business Forum 2025 concluded with an optimistic outlook, reinforcing the strategic intent to scale bilateral trade, deepen technology partnerships, and build a future-ready economic relationship. By strengthening cooperation in high-tech sectors, clean energy, manufacturing, sports innovation, and agri-food, both nations have positioned themselves for an expanded and resilient partnership.
The Forum demonstrated the complementary strengths of the two economies and reaffirmed Italy’s position as a key economic partner for India within the European Union.
