Malaysian Firms Urged To Tap Opportunities In Rapidly Expanding Indian Market
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 9 (Bernama) -- Malaysian businesses are encouraged to explore opportunities across various sectors in India, including semiconductor, energy and agriculture, following the elevation of bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2024.
High Commissioner of Malaysia to India Datuk Muzafar Shah Mustafa said Malaysian companies remain underrepresented in India, largely due to limited awareness of the vast opportunities available in the market.
“The potential is there. It is a very big market, so Malaysian companies should come and explore India,” he said during the Bernama World programme titled “Malaysia & India: Economic Ties in Action”, produced by Bernama TV, today.
The Indian government’s end-of-2025 economic review, released in December 2025, stated that the country has become the world’s fourth-largest economy.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on an official visit to Malaysia on Feb 7 and 8.
At a joint press conference with his Indian counterpart yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia would benefit immensely if the region could secure more opportunities to collaborate with India.
According to Anwar, it is strategically and critically important to advance and enhance relations between India and Malaysia.
The two countries, which had long-standing relations since 1957, elevated them to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2024.
Meanwhile, Muzafar Shah said the Indian government is simultaneously developing its domestic palm oil industry while seeking Malaysia’s technical expertise and industry know-how.
He said India’s population of about 1.2 billion continues to underpin strong demand for key commodities, with annual vegetable oil consumption estimated at nearly 25 million metric tonnes.
He noted that Malaysia currently supplies about three million metric tonnes of palm oil to India each year, and that palm oil cooperation is part of broader bilateral discussions aimed at ensuring food security and supply-chain stability between the two countries.
“Now the Indian government is also trying to develop its own palm oil industry. They are also seeking Malaysia’s assistance with know-how in the palm oil industry.
“This is also one of the areas that we are talking with India. On the Malaysian side, we also rely on India for various agricultural products such as rice and onions,” he said.
Muzafar Shah added that India’s policy focus on self-reliance extends to the food sector, creating opportunities for collaboration in agricultural development and productivity.
Malaysia’s exports amounted to US$12.24 billion (US$1 = RM3.94), and imports totalled US$6.35 billion. Key export items comprised palm oil and palm oil-based agricultural products, as well as electrical and electronic products, while imports mainly consisted of agricultural, petroleum and chemical products.
-- BERNAMA