By NNN-Bernama,
Mumbai : The Malaysian consul-general in Mumbai is upbeat
about relations between India and Malaysia as he believes that trade and business have unleashed dynamics that are propelling ties relations to greater heights of mutually beneficial co-operation.
Wan Zaidi Wan Abdullah, the first consul-general of Malaysia since being assigned here three and a half years ago, oversees a consular jurisdiction that encompasses the Indian states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Goa.
“I am very upbeat about India-Malaysia relations which are on the right track and headed towards greater co-operation that will benefit both sides,” he said in an interview with Bernama here.
However, as Wan Zaidi points out, his office is basically concerned with relations between his jurisdiction in Western India and Malaysia. Mumbai, the capital city of Maharashtra state, is India’s pulsating economic heart, accounting for a large part of India’s economic activity, including exports.
Revenue generated from this state, according to Indian sources, is amongst the highest in India. Most Malaysian businessmen arriving in India, invariably, make a stopover in Mumbai.
“Mumbai is a lively city, day and night. Besides business, Mumbai offers unlimited opportunities for recreation and entertainment. The Malaysian business community is concentrated in Maharashtra but some Malaysians also live in Goa and Gujarat,” said Wan Zaidi.
“Interest in India is increasing among Malaysian businesses. In 2007, we had only one or two companies in Mumbai but now we have, at least, 10 companies that have set up offices here.”
However, compared with expatriates from other countries, the Malaysian community here is relatively small. The official count of Malaysians registered with the consulate is 250 in the consulate’s jurisdiction, mostly in Mumbai.
However, the number of Malaysian students stands at around 4,000 in various parts of India.
The most important part of his work is to oversee relations between Western India and Malaysia. However, Wan Zaidi and his staff also help in promoting economic and
business ties with India, besides providing consular services.
“Our focus is on non-political co-operation and on economic ties. Trade promotion is a vital part of our work.”
Malaysia’s international tourism promotion theme of “Malaysia, Truly Asia” is appreciated in India because it also portrays Indian culture as part of Malaysia’s cultural diversity. In turn, Wan Zaidi believes that Malaysians are generally drawn to Bollywood films which prepare them for life in India.