KUALA LUMPUR (MALESIA) (ITALPRESS) – On the occasion of the Petronas Grand Prix of Malaysia 2026, scheduled at the Sepang International Circuit, ICE Agency, in collaboration with the Italian Motorcycle Federation (FMI), the National Association of Motorcycle Accessories (ANCMA), MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group and with the support of the Italian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur has organized the second edition of the Motorbike Forum.
The Forum involved 10 leading Italian companies in the motorcycle industry: Acerbis Italia, Alpinestars, Andreani Group International, Athena Group, Dainese, Forelectronics, Givi, Pirelli Tyre, Reds and Rizoma. The official presentation of Italian Excellence at MotoGP Sepang 2026: connecting Italy and Malaysia, brought together representatives of the institutions and the main organizations of the motorcycle industry. Matteo Zoppas, President of ICE-Agenzia; Raffaele Langella, Ambassador of Italy to Malaysia; Giovanni Copioli, President of the Italian Motorcycle Federation (FMI) and Mariano Roman, President of ANCMA.
The meeting focused on the role of the Italian motorcycle industry on international markets, with particular attention to exports, technological innovation, design and opportunities for collaboration with Asian partners.
‘After the results of the first edition of 2025, the B2B Motorsport Forum was renewed and expanded, involving about 60 buyers and operators from 13 countries in the Asia-Pacific area and encouraging the realization of approximately 230 B2B meetings – Zoppas said. The concurrent with the Malaysian Grand Prix offered the 10 participating Italian companies a privileged opportunity to meet potential business partners in a context of great international visibility. Italy exploits the international attraction of an event such as MotoGP to involve and invite industry operators, customers and media in a context where the producers of Made in Italy are already present. A presence that creates the ideal conditions to foster meetings and multiply business matching opportunities. The initiative is a concrete example of growth diplomacy, in which the promotion of Made in Italy integrates with sports diplomacy to support the internationalization of enterprises and strengthen the Italian presence on Asian markets. The motorcycling sector, in which Italy expresses internationally recognized industrial, technological and design skills, offers significant opportunities for commercial development and collaboration with the operators of the region.
For Zoppas ‘Asia is a market of particular interest: in 2025, only Malaysia imported about 107 million euros of Italian exports of motorcycles, components and accessories from Italy to the country. Italy has confirmed the third supplier of the European Union in this sector. A result that demonstrates the competitiveness of our enterprises and the potential for further growth, despite the decline recorded in the first half of 2026. Through targeted initiatives such as this, ICE-Agenzia contributes to translating the opportunities of international markets on concrete business occasions for Italian companies, in line with the strategy of the Government, thanks to the important economic policy activity of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and with the export plan promoted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani who aim to reach 700 billion euros of exports. The goal is to consolidate existing business relations, foster the acquisition of new customers and accompany Italian companies towards new markets and growth opportunities.
‘Organizing this appointment here in Malaysia instills great confidence in the revival of bilateral economic cooperation in the sectors of motorsport and motorcycles – explained the Italian Ambassador in Malaysia, Raffaele Langella – Our companies present in Sepang are the best symbol of Made in Italy. Together with key partners like ICE, Federmoto, ANCMA, EICMA and MotoGP, we will continue to team – with great passion and entrepreneurship – to consolidate the Italian-Malaysia partnership in the world of the two wheels.
In the course of the initiative, Carmelo Ezpeleta has expressed appreciation for the organization of the Forum and for the innovative character of a project that alongside the sports dimension of MotoGP a concrete opportunity of meeting and commercial development for enterprises. Representatives of industry organizations and participating companies also expressed satisfaction with the initiative and opportunities for networking and business matching offered by the program.
The motorcycle industry is a significant component of the Italian industrial heritage, thanks to the ability of companies to combine manufacturing tradition, technological research, performance, safety and design. The Italian presence at the MotoGP of Sepang enhances this heritage in an international context of particular importance for the Asian market, where the passion for the two wheels is accompanied by development prospects for the manufacturers of motorcycles, components, accessories and technical clothing.
The sport competition is also an important innovation laboratory, in which the technologies developed for the highest performance can contribute to the evolution of products intended for the market. Through the B2B Forum, ICE Agency intends to transform the international visibility offered by MotoGP into concrete opportunities for Italian companies, promoting the encounter between demand and supply and supporting the internationalization paths of the supply chain.
The 2026 edition of the Forum takes on a special significance also in the context of the celebrations for the centenary of ICE Agency. On the occasion of the institutional presentation, the promotional video for the anniversary was projected. The VIP Lounge ITA has also been characterized by the celebratory graphics of the centenary, integrated with visual elements dedicated to the Italian realities of the motorcycle industry present at the event.
The initiative thus represented an opportunity to combine the promotion of Italian enterprises to the valorization of the role played by ICE in supporting the competitiveness of the national production system and in encouraging the access of companies to international markets. As already in the previous edition, it has also been ensured visibility to the project “Moto d’Italia, Cultura oltre la pista”, promoted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in the field of sports diplomacy. The project aims to promote the image and excellence of Italian motorcycle companies abroad, using sport as an instrument of valorization of Made in Italy.
With the second edition of the B2B Motorsport Forum, ICE Agenzia, FMI and ANCMA confirm their commitment to support the internationalization of the Italian motorcycle chain and the strengthening of economic relations with Asian markets.
‘The second edition of the B2B Forum at the Sepang circuit confirms the strategic value of initiatives capable of creating connections between Italian companies and the main operators of international markets in a geopolitical context that, on the contrary, seems to fuel tensions and fractures – the words of Mariano Roman, President of ANCMA –. It is no coincidence that we have relied on sport and, in particular, on the international showcase of MotoGP to find a ground of confrontation capable of fostering new commercial relations and creating opportunities for growth. The success of these initiatives demonstrates and, at the same time, strengthens the determination of our companies to continue investing, innovating and seizing new business opportunities.
‘I believe that the B2B Forum has already become a reference appointment for Italian companies – said Giovanni Copioli, President IMF -. The collaboration between ICE, ANCMA, FMI and MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group is giving very positive feedback, ensuring the possibility for representatives of our industries to strengthen their brand and their business as well as to promote the dissemination of Made in Italy. It is a teamwork that, I am sure, will still return excellent results’.
The B2B Motorsport Forum confirms the value of an initiative that combines sport, industry and economic diplomacy, using the international visibility of MotoGP to promote Italian know-how and create new perspectives of collaboration between Italy, Malaysia and the entire Asia-Pacific area.
– Photo press office Agency ICE –
(ITALPRESS).
