Italy-Principality Business Forum towards Cooperation, Innovation and Sustainability.

Monaco and Italy maintain a close and rooted relationship defined by geographical proximity, deep cultural bonds, and strong economic, diplomatic, and personal exchanges. The Italian community in the Principality of Monaco is among the largest and most active, with over 8,000 registered residents, representing approximately 20% of the total population.

The Forum Imprenditoriale Italia-Principato di Monaco (Italy-Principality of Monaco Entrepreneurial Forum), held on Friday, 13th March 2026 at the Hotel Le Meridien Beach Plaza, was attended by over 200 participants, including authorities and representatives of the Italian and Monegasque business sector.

At the opening of the rendezvous, H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco and Antonio Tajani, Vice President of the Council and Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI), agreed on the fact that Italy and Monaco are increasingly reinforcing bilateral cooperation and friendship while growing interests and investments in their respective territories.

H.E. Manuela Ruosi, Italian Ambassador to Monaco, Barbara Cimmino, Vice President of Confindustria, and Matteo Zoppas, President of the Italian Institute for Foreign Trade Agency (ICE) reiterated the great cultural and economic closeness between the two Countries to foster territorial attractiveness.

The Principality of Monaco is synonymous with international excellence, innovation, and competitiveness and approximately 2,500 companies are run by Italian citizens. Thus, the Italian contribution is vital to the Monegasque ecosystem, as reaffirmed by Maria Tripodi, Italian Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

The Monegasque GDP is growing up to 10.28 billion Euros, marking a 8.8% increase.

Pierre André Chiappori, Monaco's Minister of Finance and Economy of Monaco, recalled in this regard how the 'Made in Italy' import and export is contribution to advance the Monegasque ecosystem. Not by chance, the Italian Government is strongly committed to promoting Italian exports, which reached in 2025 €643 billion, corresponding to a 3.3 % increase, as highlighted by Minister Tajani, connected via video conference.

Barbara Cimmino pointed out the sharing of the same objectives between the two Countries, under the umbrella of a shared clear and sustainable vision, both from an environmental and economic point of view. The membership of the Mediterranean geographical area ensure the mutual commitment to maintain efficient and dynamic the economic and trade flows, placing itself perfectly in line with the Italian goal of strengthening the economy of beauty, notably the fashion, food, furniture and nautical sectors.

A series of strategic panels addressed key issues on the Luxury Sector in the Italian style as integral part of Monaco's glamour, notably interior design and architecture, jewellery, fashion and catering but also the yachting industry, private equity and family office. A B2B meeting section followed up to facilitate the encounter among various business realities.

The Plenary Session welcomed Ludmilla Reconnat Le Goff, Delegate for Attractiveness of the Principality of Monaco, Kevin Ferri, Business Promotion Senior Specialist of Cassa Depositi e Prestiti, Viola di Caccamo Director of External Relations at SIMEST and Marco Pollera, Director of External Relations at SACE S.p.A..

The first edition of the Forum Imprenditoriale Italia-Principato di Monaco represented an important networking stage gathering Italian-Monegasque entrepreneurs and companies to establish a constructive dialogue, by the will of the Italian Embassy in Monaco, in partnership with the Italian Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale, the ITA Italian Trade Agency, and the Gouvernement Princier and with the support of Confindustria Imperia. ***

✒️ Maurice Abbati

• Strategic Communication Specialist, Editor in Chief, Journalist, Executive.

• Lecturer and Author in English in the field of Environmental Communication to foster Circular and Blue Economy