Calicut: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called for Malaysia and India to strengthen synergy in the electrical and electronics (EandE) and semiconductor sectors to enhance their respective capabilities and benefit from each other's strengths. He emphasized the importance of this collaboration during a Hi-Tea Engagement with the Governor of Kerala, Minister for Industries and Commerce, and prominent Indian business leaders in Calicut.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Anwar highlighted Malaysia's positioning as a key player in the EandE and semiconductor sectors in Southeast Asia, while acknowledging India's considerable strength in these areas. He urged both countries to fortify their synergy to enhance capabilities and ensure mutual benefits. Anwar noted, "It is an emerging economy and is focusing more in terms of EandE and semiconductor in Southeast Asia, and energy economy we are probably about the largest now, including export to the United States."
The engagement saw participation from around 30 companies from India, Malaysia, and the Gulf countries, representing sectors such as medical and healthcare, semiconductors, construction, artificial intelligence (AI), digital technology, information technology, engineering, retail, renewable energy, and transportation. Anwar stated that the engagement provided an opportunity to strengthen business-to-business linkages and explore greater cooperation in high-value sectors.
As Malaysia's Finance Minister, Anwar underscored India as an important emerging economy and stressed the need for Malaysia to diversify its trade and investment relationships while maintaining strong ties with existing major partners. He also noted that modern diplomatic relations between Putrajaya and New Delhi were established in 1957, with India remaining Malaysia's largest trading partner in South Asia. Bilateral trade between the two countries is projected to reach US$18.55 billion (RM79.33 billion) in 2025.
Anwar also highlighted the historical links between Keralam and Southeast Asia, particularly through the Malabar Coast, which he described as an important part of the region's cultural, religious, and intellectual history. He suggested leveraging Keralam's historical connections with Southeast Asia to further strengthen cooperation, especially in trade and investment. Anwar encouraged promoting increased two-way investment, with capital flows from Malaysia to Kerala, as well as from Kerala and neighboring Indian states into Malaysia.
The Hi-Tea Engagement was attended by notable figures including Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, Minister of Human Resources Datuk Seri R. Ramanan, Malaysia's Charg© d'Affaires, Deputy High Commissioner Sharifah Ezneeda Wafa, and the Consul General of Malaysia to South India K. Saravana Kumar. Following the engagement, Anwar departed from Keralam for an official visit to the Maldives, completing his five-day working visit to India. The aircraft carrying the Prime Minister departed Calicut International Airport at 7.26 pm local time (9.56 pm Malaysian time) for Velana International Airport in Mal©.