Italian Accountants’ Delegation Leads Business Mission to Malaysia, Supported by Dezan Shira & Associates

A delegation of 80 professionals, led by the Italian Association for the Internationalization of Chartered Accountants and Accounting Experts (AICEC), recently visited Malaysia to deepen their understanding of the Malaysian market and enhance their ability to support Italian companies expanding to this strategic Asian destination.

The initiative was organized under the patronage of the Italian Embassy in Malaysia. During their stay, the delegates met with H.E. Massimo Rustico, Italian Ambassador to Malaysia, and engaged in discussions with local officials, industry leaders, and banking representatives. These meetings provided valuable insights into Malaysia’s regulatory environment, market trends, and specific business needs for Italian companies.

One of the visit’s main events was a two-day conference featuring successful case studies and best practices that were shared by Italian companies already established in Malaysia. These discussions offered fresh perspectives on navigating the unique opportunities and challenges of Southeast Asian markets, equipping delegates with key takeaways to assist their clients.

A keynote speech was delivered by Pritesh Samuel, Head of Business Intelligence at Dezan Shira & Associates, who provided a detailed overview of Malaysia’s business landscape, with a focus on its regional and global integration and Malaysia’s Free Trade Agreements. He also introduced the second edition of the Asia Manufacturing Index 2025, a free resource developed in-house from Dezan Shira & Associates, which offers comparative insights into investment locations across 11 countries in Asia, including Malaysia. Pritesh shared Malaysia’s ranking within the index, offering valuable data for businesses evaluating their options.

Reflecting on Malaysia’s strategic role in the region, Pritesh noted: “Malaysia’s location in the heart of Southeast Asia offers unparalleled access to one of the world’s fast-growing economic regions. Its well-developed infrastructure, pro-business policies, and strong trade links make it a prime hub for companies looking to expand their reach in ASEAN and beyond.”

In addition to business meetings, the AICEC delegation had the chance to explore iconic Malaysian locations like Kuala Lumpur, Batu, Koh Lipe, Langkawi, and Malacca, blending cultural experiences with professional insights.

This initiative was promoted by AICEC in collaboration with Consiglio Nazionale dei Dottori Commercialisti ed Esperti Contabili (CNDCEC), and was supported by Dezan Shira & Associates, which has previously facilitated similar initiatives for AICEC in Hong Kong, China, Vietnam, and Singapore. Dezan Shira & Associates also contributed to the project through the participation of Andrea Volpe (Senior Consultant), who played an active role in developing a dedicated country guide for Malaysia to enhance the delegation’s understanding of the market. The guide is available in English and Italian.

The initiative reflects the ongoing partnership between CNDCEC, AICEC, and Dezan Shira & Associates in equipping Italian professionals with critical knowledge and tools to support Italian enterprises venturing into Asia.

The entire business mission involved multiple organizations and institutions, including—in addition to those already mentioned—the Italian Trade Agency, the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Malaysia, SACE, Intesa San Paolo, Cassa Depositi e Prestiti, as well as the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Ministry for Enterprises and Made in Italy.

Further Resources

For more resources on ASEAN, you can visit our Portal on Doing Business in Vietnam on our Vietnam Briefing website and our Portal on Doing Business in Indonesia and Singapore on our ASEAN Briefing website.

You can also read our ASEAN Briefing articles in Italian or visit our publication store at Asia Briefing, which houses in-depth business guides and magazines for multiple regions in Asia.

Dezan Shira & Associates’ Presence in Europe

Europe maintains substantial trade and investment connections with Asia. As various regions in Asia experience rapid development, and with the EU actively pursuing trade agreements with Asian counterparts, there is a wealth of opportunities for European investors in the region.

Incorporated in Munich  in January of 2021, Dezan Shira & Associates’ European presence serves as a first point of contact for European companies wishing to do business in Asia. In both the Munich and Milan offices, our European-based team works with a variety of partners to educate businesses on the economic performance and regulatory environment of developing Asian economies.

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