High Commission of India
Kuala Lumpur

PRESS RELEASE

Virtual Buyer Seller Meet on Spices, 21 December 2021

The High Commission of India in Kuala Lumpur in partnership with the Spices Board of India organized a Virtual Buyer Seller Meet (BSM) on Spices on 21 December 2021.

High Commissioner, H.E. Mr. B.N. Reddy, inaugurated the Buyer Seller Meet. In his inaugural remarks, High Commissioner spoke about the long history of India’s spice production and India’s leadership in global spice trade. High Commissioner encouraged the traders from the two sides to explore mutually beneficial partnerships through this Meet. High Commissioner stated the India-Malaysia bilateral trade in spices is robust and stands at US$115 million for the FY 2020-21 and that a target of US$200 million may be set for the year 2023.

Secretary, Spices Board of India, Mr. D. Sathiyan, IFS, addressed the event. He outlined the various initiatives of the Spices Board of India in promoting exports of Indian spices. He highlighted a recent initiative by the Spices Board called ‘Spice Exchange’ (spiceexchangeindia.com) which provides a real-time information database of spice exporters from India and importers from various countries of the world. He also expressed the interest of Spices Board in organizing more physical promotional events in Malaysia.

Mr. Mansor Shah Wajid, Director, Central, West, South Asia & Africa, MATRADE, addressed the gathering. Datuk N. Gopalakrishnan, (Malaysian Associated Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry - MAICCI), briefed the participants about the role of MAICCI in assisting Malaysian Businesses of Indian origin and trade with India. He highlighted the importance of promoting the medicinal values and quality standards of Indian spices. Mr. Kamal Kumar Kamdar, Chairperson, International Trade Committee, KLSICCI (Kuala Lumpur & Selangor Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry) spoke about the role of KLSICCI in furthering trade between India and Malaysia.

Over 120 Indian spice exporters and 25 Malaysian spice importers participated in the Meet. Malaysian spice importers spoke about their long-lasting trade relations with India, some lasting over three generations. Several new Malaysian companies interested in spice imports also participated in the Meet. Various spice traders from Kerala, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu briefed the gathering about their companies, unique and competitive offerings, their interest in increasing trade with Malaysia. Indian spice traders dealing with organic spices spoke about the potential for trade in organic market.

The contact details of all the participating Indian exporters and Malaysian importers were shared among the members so that the links formed during the Buyer Seller Meet could be taken forward for furthering trade exchanges.

21 December
Kuala Lumpur