KUALA LUMPUR, July 30 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia's key index closed at an intraday high today, supported by continued buying interest even as renewed geopolitical tensions and a weaker overnight lead from Wall Street following the US Federal Reserve's (Fed) decision to stand pat on interest rates weighed on broader sentiment. The Fed has decided to hold rates steady for the fifth consecutive meeting, with the Federal Funds Rate unchanged between 3.50 per cent and 3.75 per cent. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 4.84 points to 1,720.40 from yesterday’s close of 1,715.56. The benchmark index, which opened 1.14 points lower at 1,714.42, hit its lowest level of 1,710.69 in early trade before gaining momentum for the rest of the day. However, the broader market was negative with losers outpacing gainers 581 to 411, while 612 counters were unchanged, 1,173 untraded, and 87 suspended. Turnover declined to 2.49 billion units valued at RM2.25 billion from ...
Malaysia has unlocked potential investments worth RM8.13 billion from Italy, following high-level economic talks and business meetings during Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s working visit to Rome this week.
The Malaysia-Italy Economic Cooperation Roundtable brought together 41 Italian participants, including major players from the manufacturing, services, and trade sectors. Key industries involved include petrochemicals, machinery and equipment, electrical and electronics (E&E), and oil and gas services—sectors critical to Malaysia’s industrial and export strategy.
Strategic Sectors in Focus
The investment discussions signal stronger economic ties in forward-looking sectors. Here's where the action is likely to unfold:
Petrochemicals & E&E: Italy’s established industrial base may help scale Malaysia’s ambitions in higher-value manufacturing.
Renewable Energy & Green Tech: Collaborations in solar, geothermal, hydrogen, and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) are gaining momentum.
Automotive & EV Batteries: The Perodua–Magna Styer partnership is poised to strengthen Malaysia’s position in the electric vehicle supply chain.
Smart Infrastructure: Talks around modernizing the national electricity grid and potential tie-ins with the ASEAN Power Grid (APG) point to long-term infrastructure investment.
Trade & Export Potential
Aside from investments, Malaysia secured export prospects worth RM425 million, focusing on:
Oleochemicals
Biofuel feedstocks
Animal feed additives
Renewable energy
Food ingredients
These align with Malaysia’s positioning as a key player in sustainable supply chains, particularly in palm-based derivatives and bio-resources.
Diplomatic Push: Regulatory Alignment & Trade Deal
In a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, PM Anwar also pressed for:
Recognition of the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification, to help smoothen trade under EU environmental regulations.
Support for Malaysia's classification as “low-risk” under the EU’s Deforestation-Free Products Regulation (EUDR) by 2026.
Acceleration of the long-stalled Malaysia-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which could unlock further market access for Malaysian exporters.
Growing Bilateral Momentum
Total trade between the two countries in 2024 stood at US$3.18 billion (RM14.61 billion), up 2% year-on-year.
From January to May 2025, bilateral trade rose 3.3% to US$1.48 billion (RM6.5 billion), continuing the positive trajectory.
Conclusion: Malaysia Positioned for Strategic European Capital
This renewed engagement with Italy—the EU’s third-largest economy—adds momentum to Malaysia’s efforts to attract quality foreign direct investment (FDI) and deepen its export footprint in Europe.
For Malaysian sectors like advanced manufacturing, clean energy, agritech, and mobility, this could mark the start of deeper industrial partnerships and expanded capital flows.
Investors, analysts, and corporate players will be watching how these discussions translate into formal deals—and how Malaysia positions itself as a high-value partner in the global transition toward sustainability and digital transformation.
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