Rome: 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. Anwar led the Malaysian delegation in direct engagement sessions with key business and industry leaders in Italy, focusing on strategic sectors such as defence and energy.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the meetings with Fincantieri and Leonardo, two defence giants that participated in the recent Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) 2025, aimed to strengthen long-term collaboration prospects. Anwar highlighted the importance of the government-to-government (G2G) approach to solidify Malaysia's position as a leading maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) hub in the region. Additionally, he discussed with Italian energy company ENI potential collaborations with Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) in Malaysia and explored new investment opportunities that could be mutually beneficial.
Anwar emphasized Malaysia's stability and appeal as a trusted investment destination. He urged that commitments already made be followed by concrete actions to ensure the proposed investments are realized within the specified timeframe. The one-on-one meetings included discussions with shipbuilding company Fincantieri's 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, 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.
These meetings occurred before the Malaysia-Italy Economic Partnership Roundtable Meeting, held in conjunction with Anwar's three-day visit to Italy. Prior to officiating the roundtable meeting, Anwar also met with Antonio Tajani, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy. The meetings were attended by 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.