MITI Secures RM8 Billion Of Potential Exports And RM4.5 Billion Of Potential Investments During PM'S Visit To India

The Ministry of Investment, Trade & Industry (MITI) has secured RM8 billion of potential exports and RM4.5 billion of potential investment during the inaugural official visit of Malaysia’s Prime Minister, YAB Dato’ Sri Anwar Ibrahim to India from 19 – 21 August 2025. The Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), YB Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Aziz, was part of the Prime Ministerial delegation.

The potential exports are in sectors such as palm oil and palm oil-based products, chemicals and chemical products, oil and gas and aircraft spare parts. A commitment of RM4.5 billion in investment was also secured from Indian companies in sectors such as information technology, logistics, chemical and pharmaceutical sectors. These potential investments are expected to create more than 3,000 high-value job opportunities in the next 2 to 3 years.

MITI also hosted a roundtable meeting between the Honourable Prime Minister and 31 prominent captains of industry from among major Indian industry players in various sectors such as information technology, pharmaceutical, transportation, semiconductor and fintech services. Also present were the representatives from the Confederation of Indian Industries in Malaysia (CIIM) and Indian Chemical Council (ICC). This high-level gathering in New Delhi served as a catalyst for fostering strategic partnerships, promoting investment and trade opportunities, while deepening bilateral cooperation between the two nations.

In his opening remarks, the Prime Minister reiterated Malaysia's commitment to strengthening ties with India across various fronts, particularly in trade and investment. He emphasised Malaysia's strategic position as a gateway to the ASEAN market where robust infrastructure, and vibrant business ecosystem are key factors that make it an attractive destination for investors seeking new opportunities for growth and diversification.

The Prime Minister also held one-on-one meetings with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), HCL Technologies Limited (HCLTech) and Emami Agrotech Limited. Both TCS and HCLTech shared their workforce expansion plans which will create training and talent development programmes for Malaysians especially fresh graduates and women to suit the industry needs as well as public officers in upskilling their skills in IT and artificial intelligence. Emami Agrotech Limited, one of the largest manufacturers of biodiesel in Eastern India and a key exporter of biodiesel to Europe and other South East Asian Countries, also expressed their intention to import more palm oil from Malaysia.

Tengku Zafrul said, “We are delighted to be able to secure RM8 billion of potential exports and RM4.5 billion of potential investment during the inaugural official visit of Malaysia’s Prime Minister to India. The positive outcome on the workforce expansion plans by TCS and HCL Technologies in Malaysia is also a welcome move, and MITI through the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), will do our best to facilitate their expansion. We will also continue to intensify efforts to attract quality digital investments – such as data and cloud-based technologies – to create more opportunities for our SMEs and higher-paying jobs for our people.”

Tengku Zafrul, also witnessed the exchange of seven (7) Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between Malaysian companies and their Indian partners, to be realised within a span of one to five years. The MoUs cover various areas of interest, including green technology, innovation, waste management, start-ups, railway infrastructure as well as promotion of trade and investment.  

India was Malaysia's largest trading partner, export destination and import source among the South Asia countries in 2023. Total trade between our countries was recorded at RM75.39 billion (USD16.53 billion) in 2023. 

Malaysia’s trade with India experienced significant growth in the first seven months of 2024, with total trade increased by 15.0% to RM49.96 billion (USD10.50 billion), up from RM43.43 billion (USD9.13 billion) in the same period in 2023. Exports to India increased by 17.3% to RM30.86 billion (USD6.49 billion), while imports from India grew by 11.6%, reaching RM19.10 billion (USD4.02 billion). Malaysia registered a trade surplus of 28% to RM11.76 billion (USD2.47 billion).

The top five products exported to India were palm oil and palm oil-based agriculture products, electrical and electronic products, manufactures of metal, chemicals and chemical products, and crude petroleum, with majority of the top products reported significant growth compared to the same period in 2023.

On the investment front, as of March 2024, a total of 168 manufacturing projects with Indian participation have been approved, with total investments amounting to RM4.59 billion (USD1.36 billion), creating 16,640 potential jobs. With emphasis on sustainable development and high-end manufacturing activities, MITI and its agencies will continue to intensify its efforts with India to spur its partnerships for mutual interest. Indian investors are welcomed to invest in promoted sectors, such as semiconductor, chemicals and petrochemicals, digital economy, E&E, pharmaceuticals, green technology and renewable energy.