**Executive Summary**
The inaugural India–Mali Forum for the Promotion of Exports was held in Bamako to institutionalize a commercial partnership and deepen bilateral trade, which grew by 55% to over US$326 million in FY 2025–26. The forum identified key sectors for expansion, including mining, pharmaceuticals, and energy, while addressing specific trade barriers and regulatory needs. A follow-up dedicated investment forum is scheduled for December 3–4, 2026, to present bankable projects to international investors.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Trade Performance and Potential**
* Bilateral trade reached US$326.61 million in FY 2025–26, driven largely by India’s Duty-Free Tariff Preference (DFTP) Scheme.
* Mali’s untapped export potential in the Indian market is estimated at nearly US$3.96 billion.
* Major Malian exports to India include raw cotton, finished leather, cashew, lead, and sesame.
* Major Indian exports to Mali include pharmaceuticals, cotton fabrics, bicycles, and two- and three-wheelers.
* **Priority Sectors for Economic Engagement**
* Industrial focus areas include cotton and textiles, mining, renewable energy, and automotive manufacturing.
* Agro-industry priorities center on shea processing and cashew.
* Social infrastructure cooperation will target health and education sectors.
* **Strategic and Regulatory Cooperation**
* Mali seeks Indian technical support to digitize its Certificate of Origin system.
* The forum facilitated Business-to-Business (B2B) and Business-to-Government (B2G) matchmaking to convert opportunities into Memorandums of Understanding.
* Mali is positioning itself as a West African investment hub under the "Vision Mali 2063" roadmap.
**Impact Analysis**
**Government of Mali**
* **Impact:** The government is seeking to modernize trade infrastructure and attract foreign direct investment to align with its long-term strategic roadmap.
* **Action Required:** Must expedite the prompt registration of approved Indian pharmaceutical products and organize the upcoming investment forum in December 2026.
**Government of India**
* **Impact:** India is looking to secure its investments and expand its footprint in the West African market through established trade schemes.
* **Action Required:** Must address requests for technical support in digitizing trade systems while continuing to advocate for the protection of Indian nationals and investments.
**Indian Business Leaders (e.g., Sonalika, Mahindra, Tata Motors)**
* **Impact:** These entities face increased opportunities for export and local partnership in the automotive, machinery, and pharmaceutical sectors.
* **Action Required:** Review "Ready-Made Business Plans" presented by APEX-Mali and evaluate bankable projects to be released in December 2026.
**Malian Exporters**
* **Impact:** Exporters of raw materials like shea nuts and cotton face potential shifts in regulatory frameworks and export bans.
* **Action Required:** Monitor government negotiations regarding the reconsideration of the shea-nut export ban sought by the Indian delegation.
Key Entities Referenced
India–Mali Forum for the Promotion of Exports: An inaugural institutional mechanism established to strengthen bilateral trade and investment cooperation between India and Mali.
Duty-Free Tariff Preference (DFTP) Scheme: An Indian trade policy initiative cited as the primary catalyst for the significant growth in bilateral trade with Mali.
Vision Mali 2063: A strategic roadmap document guiding Mali’s long-term commitment to securing its business environment and positioning itself as a West African investment hub.
Malian Agency for the Promotion of Exports (APEX-Mali): The key Malian trade facilitation body responsible for organizing the forum and presenting ready-made business plans for investment.
Department of Commerce: The primary Indian government department that led the trade delegation to identify priority sectors for economic engagement.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
India and Mali Hold Inaugural India–Mali Forum
for Promotion of Exports to Deepen Bilateral
Trade and Investment Cooperation
India–Mali Bilateral Trade Surpasses US$326 Million in FY
2025–26, Registers 55 Per Cent Growth
India and Mali Focus on Cotton, Mining, Energy,
Pharmaceuticals and Social Infrastructure to Deepen Bilateral
Economic Engagement
Mali Announces Investment Forum in December 2026
प्रव तथ: 03 JUL 2026 7:03PM by PIB Delhi
In a significant step towards strengthening bilateral economic ties, India and Mali institutionalised their
growing commercial partnership through the inaugural India–Mali Forum for the Promotion of Exports,
setting the stage for deeper trade and investment cooperation between the two countries.
The two-day Forum, held in Bamako under the theme "Reinforcing Trade and Strategic Partnerships", was
presided over by the Prime Minister of the Transition Government of Mali, H.E. Major General
Abdoulaye Maïga. It was jointly organised by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Mali, the Embassy of
India in Bamako and the Malian Agency for the Promotion of Exports (APEX-Mali). The Forum brought
together senior officials from both governments and around 30 Indian business leaders. The Indian
delegation was led by Joint Secretary (FT-Africa), Department of Commerce, Government of India, Shri
Amit Kumar. The Mission was represented throughout by H.E. Dr. N. Nandakumar, Ambassador of India
to Mali.
India and Mali have witnessed robust growth in bilateral trade, which surpassed US$326.61 million in FY
2025–26, registering a 55 per cent increase over the previous financial year. Mali's principal exports to
India include raw cotton, finished leather, cashew, lead, gum arabic and sesame, while India's major
exports comprise pharmaceuticals, cotton fabrics, two- and three-wheelers, and bicycles. India's Duty-Free
Tariff Preference (DFTP) Scheme has been the primary catalyst in strengthening bilateral trade. Against
Mali's global exports of approximately US$4 billion, untapped export potential in the Indian market is
estimated at nearly US$3.96 billion, signalling substantial room for growth.
Following the inaugural session and a visit to the Indian and Malian exhibition stands, featuring Sonalika
tractors and vehicles manufactured by Mahindra and Tata Motors, the delegations participated in an
intensive series of Business-to-Business (B2B), Business-to-Government (B2G) and Government-to-Government (G2G) matchmaking meetings. The discussions covered renewable energy, pharmaceuticals,
textiles, automotive manufacturing and mining, with the objective of converting business opportunities
into commercial partnerships and Memorandums of Understanding.
On the second day, the Indian delegation met the Minister of Industry and Trade of Mali, Mr. Moussa
Alassane Diallo. APEX-Mali also presented "Ready-Made Business Plans" for immediate investment
opportunities. The delegation later called on the Prime Minister of the Transition Government of Mali.
Both sides identified cotton and textiles, mining and energy, agro-industry and shea processing,
pharmaceuticals, and social infrastructure, including health and education, as priority sectors for
expanding bilateral cooperation. Mali expressed strong interest in India's support for digitising its
Certificate of Origin system and in the prompt registration of approved Indian pharmaceutical products.
The Indian side sought reconsideration of the shea-nut export ban and reaffirmed the importance of
protecting Indian nationals and investments.
The Forum was framed as the foundation of a long-term partnership. It concluded with Mali reaffirming
its commitment to securing the business environment and positioning itself as a strategic investment hub
for West Africa under its Vision Mali 2063 roadmap. As a concrete next step, Mali announced a dedicated
investment forum to be held on 3–4 December 2026, at which additional bankable projects will be made
available to international investors.
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Abhishek Dayal/ Abhijith Narayanan / Ishita Biswas
(रलीज़ आईडी: 2280867) आगंतुक पटल : 456
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