The initiatives held in Malta as part of Italian Design Day 2026 promoted Italian companies and supported the development of new business relationships. The activities, coordinated by the Embassy of Italy in Malta in cooperation with the relevant ICE Office, took place in the year marking the centenary of the establishment of the Italian Trade Agency (ICE).
One of the main events was a meeting dedicated to Italian companies and Maltese business representatives, attended by 35 sector professionals. Participants included representatives from eight design and architecture firms, representatives of five major jewellery retailers, as well as professionals working in the luxury, design and jewellery sectors. The meeting gave the Italian companies iGuzzini, Gioie 1978 Milano and Izzo Carlo Jewelry the opportunity to present their activities and explore potential business partnerships with local operators.
The event also provided an opportunity to present the “Purchasing Guide for Italian Design and Furniture in Malta 2026”, a guide prepared by the ICE Office in Malta containing information on showrooms, retailers and official distributors of Italian brands operating on the island.
Export data confirm the importance of the Maltese market for several Italian sectors. In 2025, Italian exports of kitchen systems reached €21.50 million, while residential furniture and living-room furnishings reached €47.93 million. In the same year, exports of upholstered furniture and designer seating amounted to €12.68 million.
In the lighting sector, Italian exports of LED spotlights and projectors reached €2.06 million in 2025, while decorative lighting amounted to €1.39 million. High-end jewellery also recorded significant figures, with exports reaching €18.77 million in 2025. Luxury watch exports, meanwhile, increased from €510,000 to €2.35 million.
The Italian presence was further strengthened through participation in the DesignMT trade fair, held from 28 September to 3 October. Gioie 1978 Milano and Izzo Carlo Jewelry presented their collections at the Auberge d’Aragon, while iGuzzini exhibited its lighting solutions at the Fortress Builders premises.
The initiatives therefore contributed to strengthening business relations between Italian companies and Maltese operators and to promoting Italian products in the fields of design, furniture, lighting and jewellery.
