Kerala CM and Malaysian PM explore investment ties in healthcare and tourism

Satheesan, Anwar Ibrahim discuss investment opportunities in Keralam

Keralam Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim explored pathways for Malaysian investment in the State's healthcare, tourism and education sectors during a meeting at Tulah Clinical Wellness near Calicut University.

The discussions, held on Monday (September 14, 2026) afternoon, brought together a Malaysian delegation of business representatives and government ministers to identify cooperation opportunities between Keralam and Malaysia. Industries Minister P.K. Kunhalikutty accompanied the Chief Minister.

Medical and wellness tourism at centre of pitch

Mr. Satheesan and Mr. Kunhalikutty told the Malaysian delegation that Keralam had the infrastructure, skilled workforce and expertise to develop projects in medical and wellness tourism. They highlighted the scope for integrating Ayurveda with modern medicine.

Mr. Kunhalikutty said Keralam had the climate, natural resources and skilled workforce needed to develop opportunities in wellness tourism. The Chief Minister and Mr. Kunhalikutty assured investors of government support and said Keralam was competing with international destinations in tourism.

The meeting focused on expanding cooperation between Keralam and Malaysia in healthcare, tourism, trade, investment and education.

Ibrahim leads high-level Malaysian delegation

Mr. Ibrahim, who is also Malaysia's Finance Minister, was accompanied by Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Johari Abdul Ghani and Human Resources Minister R. Ramanan. The delegation included Malaysian business representatives.

Mr. Ibrahim said he looked forward to advancing cooperation between Malaysia and India in trade, tourism, investment, economic cooperation, education and connectivity.

Longevity and wellness destination proposed

Tulah Clinical Wellness founder Faizal Kottikollon briefed the Chief Minister and the Malaysian delegation on the centre's plans to develop a longevity and wellness destination in Keralam by combining modern medicine, Ayurveda and sustainable tourism.

Mr. Kottikollon said Keralam had the healthcare workforce, medical expertise and traditional knowledge required to develop a longevity industry. He said the sector could also generate employment through medical, wellness and nature tourism.

Malaysian Consul General K. Saravana Kumar had said earlier that Keralam's expertise in Ayurveda and its integration with modern healthcare could offer opportunities for Malaysia's wellness tourism sector.

Visit follows BRICS summit engagements

The discussions formed part of Mr. Ibrahim's visit to Keralam following his engagements in New Delhi, including the BRICS summit and a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It was his first visit to Keralam as Prime Minister.

Mr. Ibrahim stayed overnight at Tulah Clinical Wellness after visiting All India Jamiyyathul Ulama general secretary and Grand Mufti of India Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliar at Jamia Markaz, Kozhikode, on Sunday.

Mr. Kanthapuram described their meeting as a "fruitful interaction" in a post on X.

Educational exchanges and AI cooperation explored

They discussed educational exchanges between Jamia Markaz and Malaysian higher education institutions, as well as cooperation in education, culture, knowledge and the welfare of the Indian community in Malaysia.

They also exchanged views on the opportunities and challenges posed by artificial intelligence. The discussions covered the need for an approach to AI that promotes technological progress while safeguarding faith, values, ethics and human dignity.

Mr. Satheesan was also accompanied by Indian Union Muslim League State president Syed Sadikali Shihab Thangal, Mr. Kottikollon, Faizal and Shabana Foundation vice-chairperson Shabana Faizal and District Collector Vinay Goyal.

Source: The Hindu