Latest news with #ZahidRastam
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
PM Anwar to meet Italian industry leaders in Rome for economic talks
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is scheduled to meet top executives from 36 Italian companies, including global giants such as Leonardo SpA, STMicroelectronics, and Ferrero, during his working visit to Rome. The discussions will take place at the Malaysia-Italy Economic Partnership Roundtable on July 2, as confirmed by Malaysian Ambassador to Italy, Datuk Zahid Rastam. The roundtable will also feature Malaysian companies accompanying Anwar, alongside Italian firms seeking deeper collaboration with Malaysia. Leonardo SpA operates in aerospace and defence, STMicroelectronics is a key semiconductor player, and Ferrero is a leading confectionery manufacturer—all with substantial operations in Malaysia. Zahid Rastam noted that Italian firms are keen to expand investments and partnerships in Malaysia, highlighting the country's strategic position in Southeast Asia. Italy, the EU's third-largest economy, contributes 12 per cent of the bloc's GDP, making it a crucial partner for Malaysia. Beyond business discussions, Anwar will hold talks with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, defence, agro-commodity, and digital economy. The Malaysia-EU Free Trade Agreement (MEUFTA) will also be a key agenda item. The first round of MEUFTA negotiations is set for June 30 to July 4, 2025, in Brussels, with a target conclusion by 2026. The EU remains Malaysia's fourth-largest trading partner, accounting for 9.5 per cent of total trade in 2023.
Barnama
3 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
PM Anwar To Meet Captains Of Industry From 36 Italian Companies, Including MNCs In Rome
BUSINESS KUALA LUMPUR, June 30 (Bernama) — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is set to meet captains of industry from 36 Italian firms, including multinational companies such as Leonardo SpA, STMicroelectronics and Ferrero during his maiden working visit to Rome, Italy on July 1. The meeting will take place during the Malaysia-Italy Economic Partnership Roundtable on July 2, Malaysian Ambassador to Italy, Datuk Zahid Rastam said today. 'In addition to the 36 Italian companies and several industry associations here, Malaysian companies accompanying the Prime Minister will also be in attendance,' he said in a virtual briefing here today ahead of the three-day working visit. Leonardo specialises in aerospace, defence and security, STMicroelectronics is a semiconductor company, while Ferrero is one of the world's largest sweet-packaged food companies. All three MNCs have a significant presence in Malaysia. 'Additionally, there will be Italian companies looking to further engage, invest, and explore opportunities for collaboration with Malaysia,' Zahid Rastam said. Italy is the third-largest national economy in the European Union (EU) and the world's eighth-largest by gross domestic product (GDP). Its economy accounts for about 12 per cent of the EU's GDP. Besides the business meeting, Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, is also set to discuss bilateral cooperation on trade, investment, defence, agro-commodity and digital economy with his counterpart Giorgia Meloni.
The Star
14-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
First maritime patrol aircraft to arrive by end 2026
TURIN (Italy): Malaysia is expected to receive its first Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) from Italian aerospace, defence and security company Leonardo by the end of 2026, with the second aircraft scheduled for delivery three months later, says Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin (pic). The Defence Minister said they are part of a procurement deal worth nearly RM900mil, finalised in 2023, to strengthen the country's defence and maritime surveillance capabilities. 'As a maritime nation, Malaysia must have assets like these aircraft to carry out patrols. They will be equipped with state-of-the-art systems. 'More importantly, they will be fitted with anti-submarine systems, enabling them to respond to related activities,' he said during a working visit to Leonardo's facility here, Bernama reported. Also present were Malaysia's Ambassador to Italy, San Marino and Kosovo, Datuk Zahid Rastam, Royal Malaysian Air Force (TUDM) chief Jeneral Tan Sri Mohd Asghar Goriman Khan, Defence Ministry deputy secretary-general (policy) Mohd Yani Daud and Leonardo Aeronautics Division managing director Stefano Bortoli. Mohamed Khaled said the aircraft, with its airframe built in Toulouse, France, will be outfitted with advanced systems, including anti-surface warfare and anti-submarine warfare capabilities before delivery to Malaysia. He described the procurement as a strategic investment to enhance the Malaysian Armed Forces' (ATM) readiness in addressing regional security challenges, particularly in South China Sea. 'We know the South China Sea presents its own unique challenges, with rising tensions and conflicts, so these acquisitions will greatly aid the country. 'As of now, project progress has exceeded 60% and remains on schedule. We are satisfied with the ongoing work carried out by Leonardo,' he said. The MPA procurement is part of TUDM's acquisition plan outlined under its Capability Development Plan 2055, which envisions the acquisition of six MPAs in phases.
New Straits Times
13-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Malaysia expected to receive first Maritime Patrol Aircraft from Italy by end of 2026
TURIN: Malaysia is expected to receive its first Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) from Italian aerospace, defence and security company Leonardo by the end of 2026, with the second aircraft scheduled for delivery three months later, said Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin. He said both aircraft are part of a procurement deal worth nearly RM900 million, finalised in 2023 to strengthen the country's defence and maritime surveillance capabilities. "As a maritime nation, Malaysia must have assets like these aircraft to carry out patrols. They will be equipped with state-of-the-art systems. "More importantly, the aircraft will be fitted with anti-submarine systems, enabling them to respond to related activities," he said during a working visit to Leonardo's facility here on Monday. Also present were Malaysia's Ambassador to Italy, San Marino and Kosovo, Datuk Zahid Rastam, Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Chief General Tan Sri Mohd Asghar Goriman Khan, Defence Ministry deputy secretary-general (policy) Mohd Yani Daud and Leonardo Aeronautics Division managing director Stefano Bortoli. Khaled said the aircraft, whose airframe is built in Toulouse, France, will be outfitted with advanced systems including anti-surface warfare (ASuW) and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities before delivery to Malaysia. He described the procurement as a strategic investment to enhance the armed forces' readiness in addressing regional security challenges, particularly in the increasingly complex South China Sea. "We know the South China Sea presents its own unique challenges, with rising tensions and conflicts, so these acquisitions will greatly aid the country. "As of now, project progress has exceeded 60 per cent and remains on schedule. We are satisfied with the ongoing work carried out by Leonardo," he said. The MPA procurement is part of the RMAF acquisition plan outlined under its Capability Development Plan 2055 (CAP 55), which envisions the acquisition of six MPAs in phases. The MPAs to be received by the RMAF are designated as P-72M and are based on the widely used commercial ATR 72-600 aircraft, which is especially common in Southeast Asia. The P-72M's primary roles include anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare and electronic warfare missions. Its secondary roles include search and rescue operations, surveillance of Malaysia's maritime zones, joint operations with armed forces units, and inter-agency enforcement with other government and security bodies.
