ROME, July 3 — Malaysia welcomes investments from well-known Italian companies such as Leonardo SpA, Fincantieri SpA, and ENI SpA.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said he welcomes greater involvement from Italian firms in Malaysia’s special economic zones, as well as implementing expertise-based industry training programmes and technology transfer.
This was conveyed to his counterpart Giorgia Meloni during their bilateral meeting today.
“The meaningful meeting with Prime Minister Meloni opens the door to productive and comprehensive discussions covering various aspects of bilateral cooperation, including strategic investment, defence, sustainable energy, and the development of high-tech industries such as semiconductors, electric vehicles, and artificial intelligence,” he said during a press conference at the end of his visit to Rome, Italy.
Leonardo specialises in aerospace, defence, and security; Fincantieri is an Italian shipbuilding company; and ENI is a multinational energy corporation.
Anwar added that he had invited Meloni to visit Malaysia during the upcoming Asean Summit in October.
“I have invited her to visit Malaysia during Asean and to witness the agreement (signing) between Petronas and ENI,” he said.
The joint venture between ENI, Petronas, and Euglena in the Pengerang Biorefinery Sdn Bhd (PBSB) will establish Malaysia as a regional hub for sustainable fuel production.
The Prime Minister also noted that Indonesian oil and gas company Pertamina has expressed interest in joining the joint venture project.
The biorefinery plant at the Pengerang Integrated Complex (PIC) in Johor will produce Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (HVO), Bio-Naphtha, and Bio-LPG.
This RM6 billion project not only supports the country’s green energy aspirations under the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR) and the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP 2030), but will also create high-tech job opportunities and facilitate the transfer of expertise.
Anwar said that he also exchanged views with Meloni on regional and international issues that require collective solutions based on the principles of universal peace, justice, and mutual respect.
Arriving on Tuesday for a three-day working visit, he said the trip strengthens the shared determination to expand strategic cooperation that directly benefits the people of both countries, grounded in a spirit of genuine friendship and mutual trust.
“As the chair of Asean, I reaffirm Malaysia’s commitment to continue playing the role of a bridge between Asean and international partners, including Italy, to ensure stability, peace, and inclusive, sustainable economic growth in the region,” Anwar said.
He said that Malaysia highly values Italy’s openness, dedication, and commitment as an important partner and is confident that this close relationship will continue to grow for the benefit of both nations' progress, prosperity, and a brighter future.
— Bernama
