INTERVIEW: Amb. Carlo Baldocci Highlights Potential for Saudi-Italy Cosmetics Partnership
The Italian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Carlo Baldocci, has lauded the great potential for cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Italy in the cosmetics sector.
During the “Italian Beauty Days” event, held in Riyadh, Mr. Baldocci noted that the Kingdom is uniquely positioned to transition from a luxury consumer into a global production powerhouse.
Cooperation in Cosmetics Sector
“It is very important for us to be here today for the opening of these two important days dedicated to beauty between Italy and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This shows that there is great potential to work together in this sector,” he said during an interview with Sawahel Al-Jazeera Media Group.
The Italian Ambassador highlighted Italy’s prominence as a global hub for cosmetics industry. “Italy, as everyone knows, is a global powerhouse in cosmetics. I was truly impressed to hear today that around 50% of eye and face skincare products worldwide come from Italy, which means that every woman likely owns at least one Italian product, perhaps under a different brand name,” he said.
Saudi-Italy Partnerships
In light of this, Mr. Baldocci expressed interest in forging partnerships with Saudi Arabia in this thriving sector. “This is why we are here today: to show that we can cooperate very effectively with the Kingdom. We can create strong partnerships. We are very keen to continue our exports,” he noted.
“The production volume of the cosmetics industry in Italy is around €16 billion, and more than half of this amount—€8.5 billion—is dedicated to exports. We have a supply chain that includes approximately 500,000 people working in this industry, which is very important when considering the future direction of this sector in the Kingdom, as it is an industry that can be very successful in engaging more people.
“Italian companies have now begun their B2B activities with potential or existing Saudi partners, and we are here to witness and contribute to the success of these two important days in the field of cosmetics,” he added.
Italian Beauty Days
Riyadh hosted the “Italian Beauty Days” event on February 3-4, 2026. The event is organized by the Italian Trade Agency (ITA) in collaboration with Cosmetica Italia, Cosmoprof, and the Embassy of Italy. It serves as a strategic platform to connect Italian cosmetic manufacturers with Saudi distributors and retailers.
The program featured specialized panel discussions addressing the latest trends in the cosmetics industry, such as sustainable products, artificial intelligence in personal care, and expansion into emerging markets.
Furthermore, it included direct business meetings to facilitate deals and partnerships, in addition to product demonstrations of Italian cosmetics. It also hosted sessions on trade exchange and innovation, offering participants opportunities to learn about Saudi standards and investment prospects in the beauty sector.
