ROME, July 2 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today met top executives from three leading Italian firms on the second day of his working visit to Italy.
The meetings started with discussions with shipbuilder 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, who was accompanied by several Cabinet members, 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 Descalzi.
The meetings with the Italian industry leaders took place before the Malaysia-Italy Economic Partnership Roundtable, held in conjunction with Anwar’s three-day visit to Italy.
Just before officiating the roundtable, Anwar also met Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani.
Joining Anwar on his trip 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 rose by 2 per cent from the previous year to RM14.61 billion. From January to May this year, total trade grew by 3.3 per cent on-year to RM6.5 billion.
Italy remains Malaysia’s fifth-largest trading partner and third-largest importer of Malaysian palm oil among European Union members in 2024.
