The Canada Trade Mission to Italy, scheduled from 12 to 17 October 2025, represents a strategic initiative promoted by the Government of Canada to strengthen economic and trade cooperation with the Italian market. The program includes stops in Rome and Milan, with the involvement of selected Canadian companies active in sectors considered priorities for both countries.
The initiative, which will be led by the Honourable Maninder Sidhu, Minister of International Trade for the Canadian Government, is part of a context of consolidated relations between Italy and Canada, strengthened by bilateral agreements and common interests in high-tech and infrastructure sectors. The mission offers an organized framework for the development of B2B meetings, company visits and sectoral exchanges, aimed at fostering concrete synergies between companies from the two countries.
Mission objectives
The Canada Trade Mission to Italy is aimed at creating direct connections between Canadian and Italian companies, fostering the development of commercial, industrial and technological partnerships. The focus is on the following:
- Provide Canadian companies with structured access to the Italian market;
- To promote the exchange of good practices between operators of strategic supply chains;
- Enhance opportunities related to investments, tenders, supplies and innovation projects.
One of the main objectives of the programme is to connect the participating SMEs with selected Italian stakeholders, through a series of targeted activities that include market briefings, thematic presentations and operational networking moments.
Sectors involved
The mission focuses on a few key sectors, identified on the basis of Canada’s economic and industrial priorities and the opportunities existing on the Italian market:
- Defence, security and aerospace: Italy is a relevant partner for Canada in the defence and security technologies sector. Canadian companies operating in cybersecurity, aerospace and dual-use technologies will have the opportunity to dialogue with Italian counterparts active in related fields.
- Infrastructure: Ports, airports, railways, sustainable construction and smart cities are at the center of significant investments in Italy. The mission represents an opportunity to evaluate synergies with Italian companies involved in infrastructure projects, feasibility studies and technological supplies.
- Clean technologies: Technologies for ecological transition, energy efficiency and emission reduction are a common priority. The mission encourages discussion between companies active in water treatment, renewable energy, sustainable mobility and waste management.
- Energy: The challenges related to energy security, innovation in alternative sources and cooperation in the hydrogen supply chain open up interesting scenarios for companies. Meetings are planned with Italian operators in the energy supply chain, utilities and suppliers of technological services.
How to participate in the Canadian trade mission to Italy
Canadian companies can submit their application by August 29, 2025, by filling out the form available on the official website of the Trade Commissioner Service:
Canada Trade Mission in Italy – official website
The selected companies will benefit from personalized support from the Canadian team, which will include:
- Preparation for meetings
- Logistical support
- Briefing and in-depth materials
- Access to the B2B program with Italian partners
There are eligibility criteria defined according to the sector and the potential for internationalisation.
An opportunity to strengthen economic relations
The Canada Trade Mission to Italy is part of a context of already structured trade between the two countries, further incentivized by the CETA (Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement) free trade agreement currently in force.
Italy represents an important partner for Canada in the European context, not only for the industrial importance of the country, but also for the potential for innovation in sectors with a high technological and sustainable content.
In this scenario, trade missions such as the one scheduled for October 2025 represent operational tools to strengthen economic ties in a pragmatic key, enhancing complementarities between production ecosystems and encouraging direct confrontation between companies.
The involvement of Italian companies
The Canada Trade Mission to Italy also represents a concrete opportunity for Italian companies interested in starting contacts with Canadian operators active in strategic sectors.
Networking activities and targeted B2B discussion are planned, with the aim of creating new connections between companies in the two countries. Italian companies, co-located in the target sectors, who wish to seize these opportunities can indicate their interest to receive updates on the program and on the thematic areas of collaboration envisaged.
The initiative is part of a broader path of economic relations between Italy and Canada, to which various institutional and associative actors contribute. In this context, the Canadian Chamber in Italy will closely follow the mission and will continue to promote cooperation between companies and to enhance all opportunities for meetings capable of strengthening bilateral economic dialogue.
