“It is also easy to set up businesses and easy to get around,” he told the New Straits Times.

A major reason is the ability of Malaysians to speak English. He said the ease of communication was always a big plus point for European businesses looking to set up businesses anywhere.

Benetello also praised the good infrastructure and transportation system in the country and said he was impressed with the support the government gave to emerging entrepreneurs.

“With agencies like the Malaysian Global Innovation and Creativity Centre and Cradle, the type of support from the government for young Malaysians to start a business is fantastic.

“In Europe, it is difficult for young entrepreneurs to get started,” the NST quoted him as saying.

According to Benetello, Malaysia was in a good position for foreign direct investment in Asean as the government put in a lot of resources to attract investments.

Malaysia, he said, was investing in talent and coordinating very well with Malaysia External Trade Development Corp offices and Malaysian embassies around the world.

However, he felt Malaysia needed to embrace greater levels of automation in manufacturing.

“The country needs higher compliance to higher standards and more highly-qualified people to move into higher manufacturing,” he said.

He was confident that the failure of the Trans-Pacific Partnership led by the US to take off would not be felt my Malaysia as the void would be filled by the Europeans.

Benetello’s job as CEO of EU-MCCI, apart from representing the 28 European Union countries, is to organise trade missions and engage in business facilitation programmes.

“We go to policymakers and the government to discuss issues that are of concern to the business community.

“EU-MCCI’s main role is advocacy as the EU is a big contributor to Malaysia’s foreign direct investment,” he was quoted as saying.