Signore Maggipinto: Ciao Malesia ... from the land that gave us Ferrari and Pavarotti

Located amongst the “Diplomatic Row” of Jalan U-Thant, we were greeted by the Italian ambassador. He is the embodiment of a classic Italian; fashion-centric, warm, global-citizen, and most of all, eccentric.

His Excellency Cristiano Maggipinto reported for duty as the ambassador in September 2017.

In that short period of time, he has brokered numerous meetings between Malaysian dignitaries with their Italian counter parts, counterparts and have spoken on various issues ranging from free trade to the ban on oil palm use palm oil used in biofuels.

Italy opposes the decision by the European Union (EU) to phase out the use of palm oil in biofuels by 2021. They join a host of other European countries including the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, Sweden and Spain.

When asked why Italy broke ranks with the EU on sustainability and energy, His Excellency, Maggipinto merely shrugged.

“Italy is as concerned as the rest of Europe on the oil palm palm oil issue and on sustainability” Maggipinto said.