RRI.CO.ID, Padang - West Sumatra is seeking to expand its economic ties with India, as Governor Mahyeldi and Indian Ambassador to Indonesia Sandeep Chakravorty discussing opportunities for investment in the downstream processing of gambir and broader cooperation in culture, health, and education.

“India is the largest market for West Sumatra’s gambir. Therefore, we hope Indian entrepreneurs can invest in developing the gambir downstream industry,” Mahyeldi said in Padang on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

He emphasized that such investment could create new jobs for local communities and improve the welfare of gambir farmers, particularly in Pesisir Selatan and Limapuluh Kota regencies. Mahyeldi also offered Padang Industrial Park as a potential site for Indian investors.

Beyond industry, the two sides explored cooperation in health and education, with India opening opportunities for training civil servants in healthcare and poverty alleviation. “India is quite advanced in the health sector, including pharmaceuticals and medical expertise,” he noted.

In the cultural sphere, West Sumatra invited collaboration through the annual Serak Gulo festival held every December in Padang. “We want to combine Serak Gulo with Indian culture so the festival becomes bigger and more attractive,” Mahyeldi said.

Ambassador Sandeep highlighted the strong economic potential between India and West Sumatra. “You are the largest gambir producer in the world, while India is the biggest consumer of catechin derived from gambir,” he explained.

He added that India is also open to investment in renewable energy and healthcare, as well as academic cooperation between Andalas University (Unand) and Indian universities.

“We also offer scholarship and training programs for West Sumatra officials. Many opportunities have been discussed; it is now a matter of following up,” Ambassador Sandeep concluded. ***