KUALA LUMPUR, 29 June 2026 – The Italian business mission to strengthen bilateral economic ties kicks off today in Kuala Lumpur, bringing together 35 Italian companies and institutional stakeholders active in the fields of infrastructure and transport, energy transition and oil & gas, and advanced manufacturing.
The initiative takes place against the backdrop of a steadily expanding economic relationship, with bilateral trade reaching €3.4 billion in 2025, up 6.3% year-on-year, confirming the resilience and growth potential of a mature partnership between Italy and Malaysia.
In line with the Growth Diplomacy strategy of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the initiative is organized by the Italian Trade Agency (ICE Agency), Confindustria and Confindustria’s regional associations of Veneto, Emilia-Romagna, Lombardy and Piedmont and the Embassy of Italy in Kuala Lumpur, with the aim of fostering new investment opportunities, industrial cooperation and commercial partnerships between the two countries.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador of Italy to Malaysia Raffaele Langella said: “This business mission reflects the strength and growing maturity of the economic partnership between Italy and Malaysia, which is increasingly supported by a structured and forward-looking political dialogue. I am particularly pleased to see such strong participation from both Italian and Malaysian companies, as this confirms the shared commitment to turning excellent bilateral relations into concrete business opportunities, contributing to the goal announced by Minister Antonio Tajani of achieving 700 billion euros of Italian export by 2027.
“Malaysia represents a strategic partner for Italy in Southeast Asia and a natural platform for the internationalization of our enterprises. This mission is designed to move beyond dialogue and to actively generate new opportunities for investment, industrial cooperation and joint projects in key sectors such as infrastructure, energy transition and advanced manufacturing, in line with the priorities of both our countries.”
Representing the Malaysian Government, Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) YB Tuan Sim Tze Tzin, in his remarks welcomed the Italian delegation saying:
“In advancing bilateral economic cooperation, Malaysia and Italy are not forging a new path, but rather expanding a historic relationship that stretches back over five hundred years. Since the early commercial ties between the Malacca Sultanate and the Italian city-states, our nations have been linked by a shared heritage of maritime trade, mutual respect, and an appreciation for high-quality commerce.
Looking ahead, both nations are committed to leveraging this historical foundation to drive modern, resilient, and mutually beneficial business engagement. By combining our respective industrial strengths, technological capabilities, and strategic regional positions, Malaysia and Italy aim to foster greater collaboration across diverse sectors”
During a special focus on “Italy-Malaysia Growing Economic Ties”, Marco Forzini, Manager (Asia and Oceania Office, Foreign Network Department) Italian Trade Agency (ITA) said: “To understand why this relationship is a true win-win, we only need to look at the remarkable and balanced economic data from 2025, when Italian exports to Malaysia stood at €1.68 billion, while our imports from Malaysia reached approximately €1.7 billion. These numbers tell how our commercial relationship is not a one-way street. It is a perfectly balanced economic exchange where both nations contribute equal value and find reciprocal growth. Italy provides high-tech capital goods, while Malaysia integrates Italian supply chains with vital industrial inputs, electronics, and commodities.
Marco Felisati, Director of International Affairs at Confindustria, said: “Malaysia is firmly oriented towards growth and innovation and stands out as one of the most open and dynamic economies in the ASEAN Region. For Italian companies, the untapped export potential is estimated at over €400 million, with long-term prospects reaching up to €2 billion. In this context, targeted B2B meetings are the most effective way to respond to the pressing need for market diversification. Thanks to the outstanding commitment of the Italian Embassy and the Italian Trade Agency, more than 300 Italian and Malaysian business representatives gathered in Kuala Lumpur to explore new avenues for cooperation in key sectors. This mission lays the groundwork for strengthening bilateral industrial ties and for maximizing the opportunities that will arise from the forthcoming EU–Malaysia Free Trade Agreement that Confindustria convincingly supports.”
The day-long programme, taking place at the Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur, includes dedicated sessions on “Financial Instruments Supporting Italian Companies”, featuring speakers from SACE, SIMEST, Invest Selangor and Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP), as well as ‘Parallel Sectoral Roundtables’ bringing together Italian and Malaysian delegations from the three main sectors of the mission. Later in the day, participating companies will engage in B2B session to explore business opportunities with their Malaysian counterparts.
On June 30th, the companies participating in the business mission carry out site visits in several prominent Malaysian companies in the identified sectors, namely infrastructure and transport, energy transition and oil & gas, and advanced manufacturing.
