Ambassador Datin Paduka Halimah Abdullah undertook a day familiarization trip to Marche Region in July, 2012. The region is located on the northeast of Rome, about 350 km or three and half hours by road from Rome. It overlooks the Adriatic Sea and has a population of about half a million that spread amongst its five provinces.
The programme for the visit included a meeting with Mr. Gianmario Spacca, President of the Marche Region and a lunch hosted by the President’s office. As Marche Region is known for its leather industry, visits to several shoes factories were also arranged.
Marche Region is comprised of nearly 10,000 sq. km of land area and it is facing the Adriatic Sea. The costal area is consisting of 173 km long and as such tourism is one of the main incomes of the region. Ferries and ships connections are also available for passengers and tourists to travel to Croatia and Turkey. Agriculture, although not a major contributor to the overall economy, nonetheless is one of the sectors that remains important to Marche. Since 1980s the region has been radically transformed into small and medium industries which businesses are mainly family- owned, some of which have become major international brands such a Tod’s, Loriblu, Indiset etc. Marche Region is known for its footwear and leather products. Other industries included also furnitures, household appliances and shipbuilding industry. Ancona, the capital of the region is a seaport at the Adriatic Sea.
The visit to Marche Region has provided the opportunity for discussion with the President of the Region himself the developments and business opportunities that the region can offer. Cooperation between Marche Region and the Malaysian side could possibility be introduced and promoted to tap the expertise and know-how of the variety of industries in the region.
