Il Sole 24 ORE · 2 Oct, 06:34 · Business briefing

Assolombarda steps up its activities in the UAE

Assolombarda, the prominent association representing Lombardy’s industrial and commercial enterprises, is significantly expanding its operational footprint within the United Arab Emirates.

What it means for you ↓ Courses for this story

26%average salary uplift after a professional certificate

2.7xfaster promotion for certified professionals

71%of leaders prefer candidates who upskill continuously

20days to your first credential

The briefing

The story
in brief.

What happened, who it affects, and why it landed on our intelligence desk — in plain English, sixty seconds or less.

Assolombarda, the prominent association representing Lombardy’s industrial and commercial enterprises, is significantly expanding its operational footprint within the United Arab Emirates. This strategic move aims to strengthen bilateral trade relations and facilitate greater Italian market access for regional businesses. The initiative reflects a broader trend of European industrial groups seeking robust partnerships in the Gulf region to diversify supply chains and capitalise on emerging economic opportunities. For professionals, this signals an intensification of cross-border commercial activities, necessitating a deeper understanding of Middle Eastern business protocols and international regulatory frameworks.

Employer demand for Business And Management skills — indexed growth since 2019
Indicative index of skill mentions in professional job postings for the field this story moves (2019 = 1)

Your move

What this means
for your career.

Every headline redistributes opportunity. Here is who this one rewards — and how to be on the right side of it.

This expansion creates immediate demand for professionals adept at navigating complex international trade environments. You should prioritise skills in cross-cultural negotiation, international compliance, and strategic partnership development. Roles bridging Italian industrial expertise with UAE market dynamics will see heightened value. If you work in manufacturing, logistics, or B2B sales, you must act now. Update your profile to highlight any experience with Middle Eastern markets or export procedures. Engage with Assolombarda’s local networks to identify emerging opportunities. Focus on understanding the specific regulatory landscape of the UAE to position yourself as a trusted advisor capable of mitigating cross-border risks and accelerating market entry strategies for your organisation.

For this story, the fields that convert it into pay are Business And Management, Supply Chain, Compliance And Governance and Risk Management Strategies — exactly the programmes matched below. The chart shows the indicative salary uplift certified professionals report in each of those fields; every one of them is a click away, from £79, finishing in as few as 20 days.

Indicative salary uplift in the fields matched to this story
Indicative ranges from published continuing-education salary studies, by field — each field is a recommended course below

Matched to this story

Enrol in these
to benefit.

These programmes position you for exactly this shift — online, self-paced, and finishing with a verifiable certificate you can share the day you pass.