TERESA Kok has expressed hope that there will be more business between Malaysia and India.

The primary industries minister was asked by journalists about a Reuters report that the country’s top sugar producer, MSM Malaysia, a subsidiary of oil palm plantation firm FGV Holdings Bhd, will increase its purchase of raw sugar from India.

The report quoted unnamed sources as saying the move is part of efforts to placate New Delhi amid a spat between the countries over India’s restriction on palm oil imports.

“Yes, I’ve read the article. One of the subsidiaries of FGV wants to buy more sugar from India. I’m glad that the private sector under FGV is willing to do so,” said Kok in Kuala Lumpur today.

“On my last visit to India, (during a) meeting with their commerce minister, their main complaint was, since India buys so much palm oil from us, we should also consume more of their products, which include sugar and basmati rice.”

India earlier this month curbed palm oil imports from Malaysia, in a move seen as retaliation at Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s criticism of New Delhi’s policy on Kashmir. – Bernama, January 27, 2020.