Satheesan and Anwar Ibrahim discuss investment opportunities in Kerala

Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan shakes hands with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim before meeting the Malaysian delegation at Tulah Clinical Wellness near Calicut University on Monday, September 14, 2026. | Photo credit: Sakeer Hussain

Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan held talks with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and a delegation of Malaysian business representatives at Tulah Clinical Wellness near Calicut University on Monday (September 14, 2026) afternoon.

The meeting focused on expanding cooperation between Keralam and Malaysia in the fields of health, tourism, trade, investment and education and identifying opportunities for Malaysian investment in the state.

The Chief Minister was accompanied by Industries Minister PK Kunhalikutty. Mr. Satheesan and Mr. Kunhalikutty told the Malaysian delegation that Keralam has the infrastructure, skilled manpower and expertise to develop medical and wellness tourism projects. They also highlighted the scope for integrating Ayurveda with modern medicine.

Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan wrapped Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in a traditional shawl at Tulah Clinical Wellness near Calicut University on Monday. | Photo credit: SAKEER HUSSAIN

Mr. Kunhalikutty said Keralam has the climate, natural resources and skilled manpower needed to develop opportunities in wellness tourism. The Chief Minister and Mr. Kunhalikutty assured investors of government support and said that Keralam competes with international destinations in tourism.

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 representatives of Malaysian businesses.

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

Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan presents a memento to Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at Tulah Clinical Wellness near Calicut University on Monday. | Photo credit: SAKEER HUSSAIN

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 Kerala by combining modern medicine, Ayurveda and sustainable tourism.

Mr. Kottikollon said Keralam has the health manpower, medical expertise and traditional knowledge needed to develop the longevity industry. He said the industry could also create jobs through medical, wellness and nature tourism.

The talks were part of Mr Ibrahim’s visit to Kerala after his engagement in New Delhi, which included the BRICS summit and a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It was his first visit to Kerala as Chief Minister.

Malappuram District Collector Vinay Goyal receives Chief Minister VD Satheesan at Tulah Clinical Wellness near Calicut University on Monday. Tulah founder Faizal Kottikollon is next to the chief minister. | Photo credit: SAKEER HUSSAIN

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

Mr. Satheesan was also accompanied by Indian Union Muslim League State President Syed Sadikali Shihab Thangal, Mr. Kottikollon, Faizal and Shabana Foundation Vice Chairman Shabana Faizal and District Collector Vinay Goyal.

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

Tulah Clinical Wellness founder Faizal Kottikollon (left) discusses the potential of wellness tourism with Chief Minister VD Satheesan, who landed in Tulah on Monday to meet Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. | Photo credit: SAKEER HUSSAIN

Mr Kanthapuram described their meeting as a “fruitful interaction” in a post on X. 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 presented by artificial intelligence. Discussions focused on the need for an approach to artificial intelligence that supports technological progress while protecting faith, values, ethics and human dignity.

Published – 14 Sep 2026 20:41 IST