From Ratcharathan A/L Rawe Shanggar
KERALAM (INDIA), Sept 14 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim called for Malaysia and India to strengthen synergy in the electrical and electronics (E&E) and semiconductor sectors to enhance their respective capabilities and benefit from each other’s strengths.
He said Malaysia was positioning itself as a key player in the E&E and semiconductor sectors in Southeast Asia, while India also possessed considerable strength in these areas.
“It is an emerging economy and is focusing more in terms of E&E and semiconductor in Southeast Asia, and energy economy we are probably about the largest now, including export to the United States.
“With the strength of the E&E, semiconductor of India, can you imagine if that synergy is fortified to enhance our capability and make sure that we benefit from one another. I think it is important,” said Anwar.
He said this in his remarks at the Hi-Tea Engagement with the Governor of Kerala, Minister for Industries & Commerce, and Prominent Indian Business Leaders in Calicut, here today.
Around 30 companies from India, Malaysia and the Gulf countries participated in the engagement, representing sectors including medical and healthcare, semiconductors, construction, artificial intelligence (AI), digital technology, information technology, engineering, retail, renewable energy and transportation.
The Prime Minister said the engagement provided an opportunity to strengthen business-to-business linkages and explore greater cooperation in high-value sectors.
Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, noted that India was an important emerging economy and Malaysia should continue to diversify its trade and investment relationships while maintaining strong ties with existing major partners.
Modern diplomatic relations between Putrajaya and New Delhi were established in 1957, shortly after Malaysia gained independence, and India remains Malaysia’s largest trading partner in South Asia, with bilateral trade reaching 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 said Keralam’s historical connections with Southeast Asia should be fully utilised to further strengthen cooperation between Malaysia and Keralam, particularly in trade and investment.
Anwar stated that Malaysia should promote increased two-way investment, encouraging capital flows from Malaysia to Kerala, as well as from Kerala and neighbouring Indian states into Malaysia.
Also present were Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, Minister of Human Resources Datuk Seri R. Ramanan, Malaysia’s Chargé d’Affaires, Deputy High Commissioner Sharifah Ezneeda Wafa, and the Consul General of Malaysia to South India K. Saravana Kumar.
Anwar then departed from Keralam for an official visit to the Maldives after completing his five-day working visit to India.
The aircraft carrying the Prime Minister departed Calicut International Airport here at 7.26 pm local time (9.56 pm Malaysian time) for Velana International Airport in Malé.
– BERNAMA