Building Bridges: Empowering Italy–Malaysia Business Synergies - Spotlight Greater KL

Business

Building Bridges: Empowering Italy–Malaysia Business Synergies

President of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Malaysia

1. Can you provide an overview of Italcham Malaysia – its mission, objectives, and key focus areas?

Italcham Malaysia is a non-profit organisation (NGO) committed to supporting Italian businesses in their internationalisation journey, with a strong focus on Malaysia and the broader ASEAN region. Established in 2015 as the Italian Malaysian Business Association (IMBA), we were officially recognised as a Chamber of Commerce by the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy, thanks to the invaluable support of H.E. Massimo Rustico, Ambassador of Italy to Malaysia.

Our mission is to promote the excellence of Italian products and the “Made in Italy” brand, while delivering tailored services that help companies successfully navigate and thrive in the Malaysian market.

Today, with a growing network of over 140 members, Italcham is a strategic partner for trade facilitation, business development, and knowledge exchange, helping to build meaningful connections between Italy and Malaysia.

2. How does Italcham Malaysia view the current economic prospects of both Malaysia and Italy, particularly in the context of global shifts?

Malaysia continues to position itself as a regional hub for innovation, sustainability, and manufacturing. Italy, with its strong heritage in industrial manufacturing production, design, and F&B sector, offers complementary strengths.

In today’s global context, we see great potential for enhanced cooperation, especially in high-value industries and digital transformation.

3. In your view, what are the most promising areas of collaboration between Malaysia and Italy in today’s evolving economic landscape?

We believe the most promising areas of collaboration include sustainable technologies, manufacturing, food and beverage, and design. These sectors reflect both Malaysia’s development goals and Italy’s globally recognised expertise.

4. Can you share any successful collaborations/partnerships/case studies between Malaysian and Italian businesses?

Certainly! Speaking as both the President of Italcham Malaysia and the CEO of Fassi Asia Pacific, I’m proud to highlight the successful collaboration between our company and Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL). We recently signed a Memorandum (MoU) to establish the UniKL-Fassi Teaching Factory at our manufacturing facility in Nilai.

This initiative is a strong example of how industry and academia can work hand-in-hand to deliver meaningful impact. Through this partnership, students and academicians gain direct industrial exposure and hands-on training, helping to ensure their education is aligned with real-world industry needs. The goal is to produce highly skilled, job-ready graduates equipped to contribute effectively to the workforce.

This collaboration not only supports local talent development but also serves as a model of successful Malaysia-Italy cooperation, reinforcing the value of cross-border partnerships in driving innovation and growth.

5. From your observation, which high-potential sectors in Greater KL are drawing interest from Italian companies, especially in terms of innovation, talent access, and business ecosystem?

The electronics and advanced manufacturing sectors are particularly attractive. Greater KL offers a skilled workforce, modern infrastructure, and a vibrant business ecosystem that supports innovation-driven investment.

6. How does Italcham Malaysia support Italian companies exploring their business in Greater KL – Malaysia’s capital region and expanding its hub in other regions for high-value, innovation-driven industries?

We offer a wide range of services, including B2B matching, business scouting, soft landing solutions (shared desks and meeting rooms), market insights, and government liaison. These tools are especially valuable for newcomers who require structured guidance to navigate the Malaysian business environment.

7. Are there any initiatives or programs led by Italcham Malaysia to promote bilateral trade and investment between Malaysia and Italy?

Yes, Italcham regularly organises institutional visits, business forums, and trade missions to foster closer ties between Italy and Malaysia. One of our most recent highlights was a business dialogue featuring The Hon. Valentino Valentini, Deputy Minister of Enterprises and Made in Italy. The event was very well received by our members and provided valuable insights into Italy’s economic priorities and international partnerships.

We are also actively planning upcoming initiatives in both Italy and Malaysia to further strengthen bilateral trade and investment relations and to create more meaningful opportunities for collaboration between our two business communities.

8. What key challenges do Malaysian and Italian companies typically face when entering a new market and how can chambers like yours help to mitigate these?

Key challenges include understanding local regulations, cultural differences, and establishing trusted networks. As a Chamber, we mitigate these risks by providing verified contacts, reliable market intelligence, and hands-on support during business setup.

9. How does Italcham envision the future of economic relations between Malaysia and Italy, and what strategic role does the chamber play in shaping this future?

We envision growing opportunities for collaboration in innovation, sustainability, and talent development. Italcham plays a strategic role by building bridges between the public and private sectors, identifying synergies, and facilitating trusted partnerships.

10. Are there any upcoming events or initiatives organised by Italcham Malaysia to foster networking or collaboration opportunities between Malaysian and Italian businesses?

Yes, Italcham Malaysia is organising a business mission involving Italian F&B companies in conjunction with the Week of Italian Cuisine in the World. This initiative aims to foster sector-specific collaboration by connecting Italian producers with Malaysian distributors, importers, and key industry players. The mission will not only highlight the excellence of Italian culinary products but also serve as a platform for networking, business matching, and exploring new partnership opportunities in the F&B sector.

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