Anwar's Visits To Italy, France, Brazil Boost Malaysia's Global Economic, Humanitarian Standing

By Syed Iylia Hariz Al-Qadri Syed Izman and Ummu Khalidah Hamzah

KUALA LUMPUR, July 9 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s recently concluded official visits to Italy, France, and Brazil have been described as a strategic move to strengthen Malaysia’s position in the global economic and geopolitical arena.

According to economist Prof Dr Ahmed Razman Abdul Latiff, such diplomatic initiatives open avenues for quality investments, technology exchange, and the strengthening of Malaysia’s ties with emerging economic blocs such as BRICS.

“Visits like these are not merely symbolic; they send a strong message that Malaysia is ready to take on a more active role in shaping a more balanced and inclusive global economic future,” he told Bernama.

Ahmed Razman, who is also the director of the Master of Business Administration (MBA) Programme at Putra Business School, said Malaysia cannot afford to remain static in the evolving global economic ecosystem, which is increasingly shaped by shifting regional powers and the growing influence of emerging economic blocs such as BRICS, now accounting for more than 40 per cent of the global economy.

“We see BRICS as a coalition of countries striving to establish a multi-polar economic system that is no longer entirely dependent on a single dominant power. Malaysia must be strategic in adapting its foreign and economic policies to remain competitive,” he said.

He also stressed that Malaysia’s active participation in BRICS and other regional economic forums could benefit the people through job creation, skills development, and broader economic spillover effects.

“A visit like this is a long-term investment for the country. It reflects our commitment to building a more equitable, sustainable, and dynamic economic future.

“The core message that BRICS seeks to promote is that the era of economic dominance by a single superpower is coming to an end. The future must be shaped collectively by sovereign nations,” he said.

The Prime Minister’s official visit to the three countries, which began in Italy on July 1 and concluded in Brazil on July 7, successfully opened new avenues for investment. In Italy, potential investments were estimated to exceed RM8 billion, while in France, the projected investment value reached approximately RM4 billion.

In Brazil, Anwar described his visit to Rio de Janeiro, where he attended the 17th BRICS Leaders’ Summit, as a significant milestone in strengthening bilateral relations and expanding Malaysia’s global network of strategic cooperation.

Prof Dr Barjoyai Bardai, an economist at the Malaysia University of Science and Technology (MUST) said the Prime Minister’s visits to these countries represent a strategic move that will positively impact Malaysia’s economy, particularly in boosting foreign investor confidence.

“The effects may not be immediate, but strengthening diplomatic ties is crucial. It signals that Malaysia is prepared to be a serious and reliable economic partner,” he said.

Barjoyai also noted that the announcement of potential investments in Italy and France demonstrates the strong interest of these countries in exploring business opportunities with Malaysia.

“Although not finalised, such early interest has a positive psychological impact on the market and on investors from other countries who may also be looking to explore opportunities in Malaysia,” he said.

Barjoyai added that Malaysia’s strengths in the semiconductor sector, an industry highly sought after in Europe, offer significant opportunities for cross-continental technology collaboration.

“With proper follow-up and strategic planning, this visit can be translated into high-impact investments and position Malaysia as a key technology hub in the region,” he said.

During the visit, the Prime Minister also reaffirmed Malaysia’s strong stance on humanitarian issues in the Middle East, particularly concerning the situation in Gaza and the attacks on Iran.

He noted that global leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, also voiced their concerns over the ongoing crisis.

Associate Prof Dr Bakri Mat from the Centre for International Studies (SOIS), Universiti Utara Malaysia, described Malaysia’s stance as a reflection of a foreign policy rooted in the principles of justice and universal human values.

“I see Malaysia’s willingness to speak out on the Gaza issue and the attacks on Iran as a clear manifestation of a principled foreign policy - one that prioritises justice and universal human rights. Malaysia did not merely take the safer route of conventional diplomacy, but instead boldly chose to speak the truth in a responsible manner, even when dealing with major powers,” he said.

He also emphasised that when Western leaders such as Macron and Meloni expressed concern for Gaza, it signalled that the crisis is no longer confined to the Islamic world but has been elevated to a universal humanitarian issue.

“To me, the main message conveyed by Malaysia is that the Gaza crisis is not solely an issue for the Islamic world - it is a global humanitarian concern. When leaders from Western and Latin American countries also echo the same sentiment, Malaysia demonstrates its role in fostering a collective international voice that transcends ideological divides,” he said.

He also described Meloni’s statement supporting the principle of a two-state solution as a significant development in European diplomacy toward Palestine.

“Diplomatically, Meloni’s statement carries considerable weight. It signals a shift in tone from a senior European leader, openly expressing support for the state of Palestine. In the long term, her stance could encourage other European nations to take a bolder position in supporting the two-state solution,” he said.

Bakri added that the Prime Minister’s visit also marks a new benchmark in Malaysia’s foreign policy approach, one that is more balanced, firm, and authoritative under Anwar’s leadership.

“I see this visit as an important milestone in Malaysia’s foreign policy approach. The Prime Minister not only pursued the agenda of investment and economic cooperation, but also consistently highlighted the principles of humanity and global justice in every meeting,” he said.

-- BERNAMA