ROME, July 2 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim met top executives from three leading Italian companies on the second day of his working visit to Italy today, stressing that Malaysia remains a stable, progressive, and trusted investment destination.
He said he led the Malaysian delegation in direct engagement sessions with key business and industry leaders in Italy, who are involved in strategic sectors like defence and energy.
The meetings with Fincantieri and Leonardo, two defence giants that participated in the recent Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (Lima) 2025, were to strengthen long-term collaboration prospects.
“I stress the importance of the government-to-government (G2G) approach to strengthen Malaysia’s position as a leading maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) hub in this region.
“I also held a meeting with Italian energy company ENI to discuss collaboration with Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) in Malaysia as well as exploring new investment opportunities that can be mutually beneficial,” Anwar said.
The Prime Minister said that he took advantage of the opportunity to emphasise that Malaysia continues to be a stable, progressive, and trusted investment destination.
“I also called for all commitments that have already been made to be followed by concrete actions so that the proposed investments can be realised within the specified period,” he said.
The one-on-one meetings started with discussions with shipbuilding company Fincantieri’s chief executive officer (CEO) Pierroberto Folgiero, followed by a meeting with aerospace, defence, and security company Leonardo’s marketing and strategic campaigns senior vice-president Tomasso Pani.
Anwar, who was accompanied by several Cabinet ministers, then met the integrated energy company ENI's CEO Claudio Descalzi.
Petronas president and group CEO Tan Sri Tengku Muhammad Taufik was also present during the meeting with ENI.
The meetings with the Italian industry leaders took place before the Malaysia-Italy Economic Partnership Roundtable Meeting held in conjunction with Anwar’s three-day visit to Italy.
Just before officiating the roundtable meeting, Anwar also met Italian Deputy Prime Minister cum Foreign Affairs Minister Antonio Tajani.
Also present during the meetings were Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin; and Investment, Trade, and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz.
In 2024, total trade between Malaysia and Italy increased by two per cent, reaching RM14.61 billion (US$3.18 billion), compared to 2023.
From January to May 2025, total trade grew by 3.3 per cent year-on-year to RM6.5 billion (US$1.48 billion).
Italy remained Malaysia’s fifth-largest trading partner and the third-largest importer of Malaysian palm oil among European Union member states in 2024.
— Bernama
