Newsletter 2/2019 August – December 2019 Malawakil Rome CIAO MALAYSIA Greetings from the Ambassador... Dear Malaysians and Friends of We are also working on many projects Malaysia, that can help promote Malaysia in the field of trade, investment, defence, As we reach the end of a decade, and agriculture, education, culture, sports approach 2020, I would like to thank all and digital economy. I also look of you for your endless support to the forward to further expanding Embassy of Malaysia in strenghtening Malaysia’s contribution Malaysia at the and promotion of Malaysia-Italy Rome UN based Agencies like FAO, Bilateral Relations. WFP and IFAD. As th Ambassador of Malaysia, I am It is my wish that our bilateral relations confident that there are many areas that continue to develop. Malaysia and Italy can explore and further expand our bilateral relations. Throughout the year, we have seen many high level visits from Malaysia to Italy in various sectors. The trade and Season Greetings and Happy New investment component also showed Year! positive escalation. The tourist arrivals for both in Malaysia and Italy also recorded an increase. In 2020, Malaysia will host the Italy- ASEAN High Level Dialogue on Economic Relations from 1-2 July. The Grazie Mille e Auguri dialogue will be a platform to bring Dato’ Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino together Italian businesses and ASEAN businesses. Ambassador of Malaysia MALAYSIA WEEK 2019 23 September 2019 – 28 September 2019 23 September - ‘Kibarkan Jalur Gemilang’ was officiated by YAB Datuk Patinggi Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Abang Openg, Chief Minister of Sarawak. The Chief Minister also launched the Malaysia Week in Rome, Italy together with Embassy officials and Malaysian Community . The Embassy organized a week long programmes for Malaysia Week. 24 September - The School Cultural Performance was held at Luigi Enuidi School to promote Malaysia and Sarawak traditional dance and culture to Italian youths. The performers came all the way from National Department For Culture and Arts of Sarawak. 24 September - Cooking Demonstration by Chef Abang Rahman, President of Kuching Chef Association, Sarawak for the Malaysian ladies in Rome was held at the Embassy. The event was jointly organzied by the Ladies Association of the Embassy, PERWAKILAN. The guests learnt traditional Sarawakian dishes such as Mee Kolok & Sago Gula Apong. 25 September – The Malaysian Kitchen or popularly know as ‘Cucina Malesia’ was held at Court Delicati, a Malaysian owned restaurant in Rome. Among the invited guests were from the Ministry of Culture of Italy, the Italy-ASEAN Association, the Luigi Enaudi School and members from the media and press. Many Malaysians residing in Rome also supported the event. 26 September – The 62nd National Day Reception 2019 was held in Hotel Parco dei Principe, Rome. The guest of honour was His Excellency Luca Sabbatucci, Director General of Global Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Italy. His Excellency Abdul Malik Melvin thanked the various Italian stakeholders for their cooperation in developing the bilateral relations further. 25 September – ‘Sarawak More to Discover’ by Tourism Malaysia was held at the Embassy. The guests, mainly tour operators were present to listen to the briefing on Malaysia and Sarawak’s travel opportunities. They also enjoyed the traditional dance performances and authentic Malaysian cuisine. 28 September – Gathering with Malaysians in conjunction with National Day celebration was held at Rumah Malaysia. The event began by His Excellency Dato’ Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino, delivering his remarks. The event was later joined by His Excellency Dato’ Darell Leiking, Minister of International Trade and Industry. Malaysians residing in Italy enjoyed the Malaysians cuisine prepared and the screening of Adiwiraku, an award wining Malaysian movie. WORKING VISIT BY THE CHIEF MINISTER OF MALACCA 9-10 September - YAB Adly Zahari, Chief Minister of Malacca called on Her Excellency Virginia Raggi, Mayor of Rome at Campidoglio. They spoke on possible cooperation on preservation of historical monuments and green technology initiatives. TYT Dato’ Malik, Ambassador of Malaysia in Italy, YB Norhizam Hassan, YB Damian Yeo Shen Li & Mr Mansor Sudin, Mayor of Malacca City were also present. visited Eataly, a massive Italian marketplace comprising of restaurants, food & beverage counters, bakery, retail items & cooking classes. WORKING VISIT BY THE CHIEF MINISTER OF SARAWAK 22-26 September - YAB Datuk Patinggi Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Abang Hj. Openg, Chief Minister of Sarawak and his delegation were in Italy to present on Sarawak’s Digital Economic projects. The Chief Minister was invited by EON Reality to Bologna’s Digital Economy Conference. At the same time the Chief Minister met with the President of the Region’s Minister of Education, Mr. Patrizio Bianch to explore collaboration in education and training. In Rome, the Chief Minister was welcomed by His Excellency Dato’ Malik, the Ambassador of Malaysia and was invited to launch the Malaysia Week 2019. WORKING VISIT BY MINISTER OF HOUSING AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT 22-26 September – The Minister of Housing and Local Government , YB Zuraidah Kamaruddin undertook a working visit to Milan, Rome and Ischia. In Ischia, the Minister delivered a keynote address at the International Polieco on Waste Economy. The Minister also called on His Excellency Salvatore Micillo, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Environment, Italy to share and discuss on the possible cooperation in the management of plastic materials. In Rome, the Minister met with Mr. Alessandro Profumo, CEO of Leonardo S.p.A. The Ambassador of Malaysia, His Excellency Dato’ Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino also invited the Minister and her delegation lunch at Rumah Malaysia. WORKING VISIT BY MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND INDUSTRY 22-26 September – The Minister of International Trade and Industry of Malaysia undertook a working visit to Italy with CEO of MIDA and CEO of MATRADE. During the visit, the Minister me twith key Italian companies in the areas of space economy and high technology. The Minister was also interviewed by Il Sole 24 on the Malaysian Economy and the pupcoming Italy-ASEAN High Level Dialogue to be held in Malaysia on 1 and 2 July 2020. The Ambassador of Malaysia, His Excellency Dato’ Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino invited the Minister and his delegation to Rumah Malaysia for the gathering with Malaysians. 16TH MALAYSIA-ITALY JOINT COMMITTEE MEETING ON DEFENCE COOPERATION 6 December - The 16th Italy Malaysia Joint Committee Meeting on Defence Cooperation co-chaired by His Excellency Datuk Seri Mohd Zuki Ali, Secretary General of the Ministry of Defence Malaysia and Lt. General Nicolo Falsaperna, Secretary General and National Director of Armaments of Italy was successfully convened on 6 December 2019 in Rome. Prior to the JCM, two working group meetings were held on 5 December 2019; the Military Cooperation Working Group and Defense Industry Working Group. His Excellency Dato’ Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino also spoke on the upcoming Italy-ASEAN High Level Dialogue to be held in Malaysia from 1-2 July 2020, and invited the Defence Industry players to participate as well. His Excellency Ambassador Dato’ Malik also invited His Excellency Datuk Secretary General and his delegation to Rumah Malaysia for dinner. BULAN SUKAN NEGARA 13 October - The Embassy organized the Bulan Sukan Negara 2019 programme with among Embassy officers and Malaysians in Italy. The event begun by a remarks by His Excellency Dato’ Abdul Malik, Ambassador of Malaysia on the importance of maintaining a well- balance lifestyle. Among the games arranged were table tennis, darts, badminton and many. Conference on Meridiano Sanita Sicilia 18 October - His Excellency Dato’ Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino, Ambassador of Malaysia in Italy spoke on Malaysia’s Medical Tourism Industry and opportunities for future collaborations with Italy and Sicily at the Conference on Meridiano Sanita Sicilia organized by the European House Ambrosetti & the Sicilian Region. Blue Sea Land Conference 19 October - Mr Rudy Khairudin, Agriculture Attache of the Embassy of Malaysia in Rome presented on ‘Malaysia & the Mediterranean through Blue Economy’ at the Blue Sea Land Conference organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Italy in Mazara Del Vallo, Sicily with the presence of His Excellency Dato’ Malik. The conference was also attended by institutions and business community from IORA Member states and Mediterranean nations. FESTIVAL DELLA DIPLOMAZIA 24 October - The Embassy of Malaysia participated in the annual Festival Della Diplomazia by organizing a seminar of Malaysia: Industry 4.0 & Startups Initiative. The event begun by His Excellency Dato’ Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino, Ambassador of Malaysia delivering his remarks & Mr Awangku, Director of MIDA Milan presented on Malaysia’s Industry 4.0 and the initiatives to lure opporutnities in Malaysia. There were also presentations by Mr. Stefano Pighini, Chairman of LVenture Group, S.P.A. & Mr. Arturo Lavalle, Responsabile Area Ricerca e Sviluppo from Università Marconi Roma on the startup initiative and experience in Italy. Digital Diplomacy: Enhancing Foreign Relations 13 November - The Embassy organised an interactive discussion on ‘Digital Diplomacy: Enhancing Foreign Relations’, with His Excellency Dato’ Abdul Malik, Ambassador of Malaysia to Italy & Mr. Valerio Bordonaro from Italy-ASEAN Association