KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia wants to be the entry point for Indian entrepreneurs into Southeast Asia, Prime Minister Najib Razak said on Thursday in launching the Asean-India SME Conference in the country. He said that Malaysia's economic development and understanding of the developing world could propel Indian business in the country and across the region. “Both Asean and India are looking forward to accelerate the pace of development of their respective economies. “The conference will focus on how entrepreneurs from both sides can collaborate to take advantage of the business opportunities that will be unfolding in this part of the world," he said in his keynote address before also launching SMIDEX 2012, an annual showcase of SME innovations. He also opened the inaugural SME week 2012, which will take place during the final week of June every year at various locations nationwide. There are currently 77 Indian companies operating in Malaysia, including 70 joint ventures. “Since its beginnings about a decade ago, business relations between Asean and India have seen tremendous growth," he said, adding that Malaysia was currently the 27th largest foreign investor in India.
