The initiative is organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) and ITA – Italian Trade Agency, in collaboration with Global Affairs Canada and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, and will be held at The Globe and Mail Centre in Toronto.
The Forum is part of the initiatives carried out under the agreement between MAECI and Unioncamere to support the internationalisation of Italian businesses and strengthen economic relations with strategic markets.
An opportunity to develop new partnerships
The Forum aims to strengthen economic ties between Italy and Canada by fostering dialogue among institutions, businesses and economic operators from both countries, while creating new opportunities for trade, industrial and technological partnerships.
The programme will feature a plenary session with institutional speakers, followed by thematic panels focusing on some of the sectors with the greatest potential for collaboration.
B2B meetings between Italian and Canadian businesses will also be held through a dedicated matchmaking platform.
Key sectors at the Forum
The programme will focus on three main areas of collaboration:
- Advanced manufacturing, with a focus on automotive, machinery, robotics, industrial automation, artificial intelligence and ICT;
- Energy, mining and infrastructure;
- Defence, aerospace and cybersecurity.
These are strategic sectors in which Italian expertise, technologies and manufacturing capabilities can open up new opportunities for growth and partnerships in the Canadian market.
Why Canada
Canada is one of the priority markets identified by the Export Action Plan and is a long-standing partner of Italy outside the European Union.
Italy is Canada’s eighth-largest supplier, while Canada is the tenth-largest destination market for Italian exports. In 2025, Italian exports to Canada reached €6.33 billion, while in the first four months of 2026 they recorded 7.3% growth.
The CETA, the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between the European Union and Canada, also plays an important role in strengthening trade relations. Since 2017, 99% of Italian and European products imported into Canada have been exempt from customs duties.
Between 2016 and 2025, the value of Made in Italy exports to Canada almost doubled, with an average annual growth rate of around 10%.
Why attend
Taking part in the Forum means gaining a deeper understanding of the Canadian market, connecting with local businesses and stakeholders, and exploring new opportunities for commercial and industrial development.
In particular, the initiative offers an opportunity to:
- Understand the market
Gain insights into business opportunities and growth prospects in Canada.
- Build new connections
Connect with Canadian businesses, institutions and economic operators.
- Develop partnerships
Identify potential trade, industrial and technological partnerships.
- Explore strategic sectors
Discuss trends, market developments and opportunities in the sectors at the heart of the Forum.
Join the Italy–Canada Business Forum
Toronto, 29 October 2026
Participation is free of charge. Businesses interested in taking part can submit their application by 9 October 2026 via the online application form.
Admission is subject to the relevance of the company’s activities to the initiative’s focus sectors and will be based on the chronological order in which applications are received.
Further information
Businesses interested in learning more about the sectors covered by the initiative and the opportunities available in Canada can visit the website managed by ITA Toronto or contact forumcanada2026@ice.it.