A Bocconian in the Gulf

“Difficulties working in countries that are different from European ones in terms of culture and traditions? Very few, since these are nations, especially Saudi Arabia, that are undergoing a great transformation and are eager to open up to the world". Davide Cichero, 29 years old, Ligurian from the town of Arma di Taggia, graduated from Bocconi in Business Administration and Management in 2013, and since the beginning of 2020 has been working at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the United Arab Emirates as advisor to the Minister of State on economic issues. “I came here to help the Emirates prepare for the G20 which was held in Saudi Arabia this November. In particular, I provided various governmental bodies with opinion and policy advice on economic and international issues" 

An assignment, that of Cichero, which is the logical consequence of the previous one, which he held in Saudi Arabia from 2018 to the end of 2019: "Let's say that every experience has been a door that opened onto the next one", Cichero continues. "After the experiences at the European Commission in Brussels and at the OECD in Paris, I collaborated with the Italian governmental team responsible for support the Italian presidency of the G7. At the end of my experience in Rome, I was called by the G20 Saudi Secretariat of Riyadh to support policy preparations ahead of the Saudi presidency of the G20 in November 2020, and I therefore collaborated, until the end of 2019, with numerous Saudi government bodies on various fronts, such as trade and energy to define their priorities at the G20”. 

For those who see the Gulf countries as closed and immutable realities, archaic in their social structure and, consequently, offering limited professional perspectives, Davide Cichero has words that in some ways may seem surprising: "Undoubtedly there is a very hierarchical structure and there are rigid protocols that must be observed. But, and I am speaking in particular of Saudi Arabia as reference country of the area, we cannot just consider it simply as a conservative country. There is a great deal of openness towards foreigners, and policy advice from foreigners is highly appreciated. Much more, for example, than what happens in countries of the West”. 

Those starting an international career at a young age usually do not set limits for themselves. The world has no borders and any country is game, as long as the challenge is intriguing. This is also Davide Cichero's case: "I certainly do not exclude the possibility of returning to Italy or Europe", continues the alumnus, "but I could also end up going elsewhere. In the short and medium term, however, my goal is to develop detailed expertise for this region of the world". Where, among other things, Davide is not alone: “There is a large Bocconi community here, in Dubai, especially. We meet and discuss. I will never forget that Bocconi gave me the first impulses to pursue my present career: it opened my horizons by enabling me to meet people who were doing what I am doing now".