KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is seeking stronger bilateral cooperation with Italy by exploring investment opportunities across the oil and gas, tourism and higher education sectors.
The Sabah Chief Minister's Office, in a statement on Monday (Oct 26), said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor expressed the state government’s eagerness to expand economic and academic partnerships in a courtesy call to Italian Ambassador to Malaysia Raffaele Langella.
"We welcome the interest of the Italian government and businesses to explore the business opportunities in Sabah further," Hajiji said.
Langella said Italian businesses recognise significant untapped potential in Sabah and require assistance in scouting for viable investment opportunities.
"Next year, it will be Visit Sabah Year 2027, so we would like to give a helping hand (in promoting Sabah)," Langella said, noting Italy's keenness to support the state's tourism promotion abroad.
Langella said Italian universities are also eager to expand academic activities in the region, particularly by forging partnerships with higher education institutions in Sabah.
He expressed hope that the bilateral meeting would pave the way for closer diplomatic ties and lead to meaningful investment decisions between both parties in the near future. – Bernama
