THE OPERATION TEAM
THE OPERATION TEAM
Dr. Carmelo Ferlito
Dr Carmelo Ferlito (Verona, Italy, 1978) is an economist and a businessperson living in Malaysia since 2011. He currently is the CEO of the Center for Market Education (CME) and a Senior Fellow at the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Dr Ferlito is also Research Advisor for Provalindo Nusa Property in Jakarta, Indonesia, a Visiting Professor at Taylor’s University in Subang Jaya, Malaysia, and Senior Fellow (Southeast Asia) at the Property Rights Alliance in Washington, DC, USA. Since May 2024 he is also Visiting Research Fellow at Bank Negara Malaysia.
Carmelo Ferlito earned a Master in Economics (2003) and a Ph.D. in Economic History (2007) from the University of Verona in Italy. From 2004 to 2009 he worked as researcher and teaching assistant with several Italian universities, including University of Verona, Salento University and University of Macerata. In 2017 he was Visiting Scholar at the University of Bergamo. Between 2013 and 2019 he has taught “Microeconomic Theory and Policy” and “History of Economic Thought” at INTI International College Subang (Subang Jaya) and at Universiti Kuala Lumpur-MFI (Bangi). As recognized international speaker, he has delivered guest lectures in prestigious institutions in Malaysia, Italy, Pakistan, Singapore and Indonesia.
Dr Ferlito is author of seven books and more than forty scientific papers. His latest books are “Assessing and Addressing Urban Poverty in Malaysia” (2022) and “My Malaysia” (2021).
His theoretical research is focused on business cycles, capital theory, monetary theory, innovation and entrepreneurship. His opinions are regularly requested by several Malaysian and international media.
Dr Ferlito is not only an economist and a writer. He developed first-hand experience in business in Italy first and Asia later. From 1998 to 2007 he worked in the communication industry, while from 2009 until 2023 he has covered different roles for multinational companies from the USA, Belgium and Canada in the agriculture machinery business. His career in the agriculture business started as international sales manager (CTB, Inc.) and evolved up to the roles of commercial director and general manager for the Asian office of Petersime nv. He consulted, among others, for Jansen Poultry Equipment and Jamesway Incubators.
Nick Chong
Nick Chong is the General Manager for the Center for Market Education. Nick holds a Bachelor of Commerce Economics and Finance from the University of Wollongong (Australia) and has developed extensive know-how on finance, office administration, logistic and customer service experience working with multinational companies from Europe and Canada.
Nick built his strength in coordinating logistic shipment and office management for more than 12 years. He is well-versed in building long-term relationships with customers. Nick had developed a team, which had achieved a constant 15% growth in sales by building good relationship and providing ‘hassle free’ atmosphere for customers.
Nick had a strong administration background which allows him to easily coordinate tasks within the organisation and with the suppliers. His experience in creating win-win-win situations allows the organisation, customers and suppliers to be satisfied with the program he is coordinating.
Nick is passionate in Data Analysis and a strong knowledge of Power BI.
Amni Hidayah
Amni Hidayah is the Business Development & Research Manager for the Center for Market Education. Amni holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Economics from University of Durham (United Kingdom).
Amni has 15 years of experience in advisory and research. She has served Fortune Global 500 companies, public listed companies and small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Her work spans from market research, strategic planning, business advisory, deal structuring, business development and stakeholder management. She was responsible for growing the revenue and increasing profits of the organisations’ that she has served. Amni also devised various roadmaps and strategies for various organisations, and was responsible for the implementation of action plans for business growth and expansion, both local and international.
Amni has also worked on several consulting projects involving ministries, state and governments agencies and regulators. She was also actively involved in policy advocacy for the Malaysian energy landscape.
Sammie Lee
Ms Sammie Lee is the Chief Accounting Officer for the Center for Market Education (CME).
Sammie holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Wollongong (Australia) and has developed extensive accounting and finance experience working with multinational companies from Europe and Canada.
She is specialized in a wide range of general management operations and particularly in financial reporting and data analysis.
