PM Anwar Meets Italian Industrial Giants On Rome Visit
From Arul Rajoo Durar Raj
ROME, July 2 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today met top executives from three leading Italian companies on the second day of his working visit to Italy, stressing that Malaysia remains a stable, progressive and trusted investment destination.
In a statement, Anwar said he led the Malaysian delegation in direct engagement sessions with key business and industry leaders in Italy involved in strategic sectors such as defence and energy.
He said 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,” he said.
Anwar said 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 been already made to be followed by concrete actions so that the proposed investments can be realised with the specified period,” he added.
The one-on-one meetings started with discussions with shipbuiding 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 integrated energy company ENI's CEO Claudio Descalzi.
Tan Sri Tengku Muhammad Taufik, president and group CEO of Petronas, 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 Antonio Tajani, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy.
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 Abdul Aziz.
In 2024, total trade between Malaysia and Italy recorded a two per cent increase, reaching RM14.61 billion (US$3.18 billion), compared with 2023.
For the period of 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