India-Mali Trade Forum 2026: First Bilateral Business Meet Launched as Trade Surges to $326 Million
India- Mali Bilateral Trade surpasses US$ 326 million in FY 2025-26. Explore key highlights, sectoral growth and future trade investment from the 2026 Business meet between the two countries.
In the inaugural business meet, India-Mali launched an India-Mali Forum for the Promotion of Exports. It is the first-ever bilateral trade forum as economic collaboration between the two countries surges to US$ 326.61 million for the financial year 2025-26.
The strategic investments and a shared vision for industrial growth are key areas of the bilateral trade between India and Mali
The bilateral trade meet was held in Bamako under the theme ‘Reinforcing Trade and Strategic Partnership ’. The two-day forum was organised by Mali’s Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Embassy of India in Bamako and the Malian Agency for the Promotion of Exports (APEX-Mali).
India-Mali Forum for the Promotion of Exports
The forum focuses on mutual growth and development of both countries, since the economic trade climb to $326.61 million represents a phenomenal 55% growth over the previous fiscal year.
The Mali government acknowledged that India’s Duty-Free Tariff Preference (DFTP) Scheme has played an important role in boosting trade. It allowed Malian goods preferential access to the world's largest consumer markets.
Mali’s exports to India include raw cotton, which remains a significant part of the trade, finished leather, cashew, lead, gum arabic and sesame.
India's exports to Mali include pharmaceuticals and healthcare, cotton fabrics, two- and three-wheelers, and bicycles.
India also advocated for the streamlined and prompt registration of approved Indian pharmaceutical products while Mali sought Indian expertise to digitize its Certificate of Origin systems.
Mali's natural resources and companies collaboration in mining infrastructure and renewable energy deployment.
The India-Mali Trade Forum meeting aligns with Mali’s long-term economic goal under its Vision Mali 2030 Roadmap by collaborating with India. Mali intends to establish itself as a strategic logistics and manufacturing investment hub for the broader West African region.
The first India-Mali bilateral business meet is an example of mutually beneficial South-South cooperation. The forum will focus on building a strong framework for technology transfer, secure investments and industrial capability building.
It will function as an economic bridge between New Delhi and Bamako considering the economic growth of both countries.
Manisha Waldia is a distinguished content strategist with 5 years of experience crafting premium educational content for UPSC and State PCS, with a focus on deep conceptual analysis across Polity, Geography, History, and Environment. She currently brings this expertise to Jagran Josh, where she covers major national and international events, current affairs, and static general knowledge. Over her career, Manisha's specialized insights have led her to curate high-impact materials and serve as a UPSC Mains answer-evaluator for India’s top institutes—including Drishti IAS, Shubhra Ranjan IAS, Study IQ, GS Score, and PWonlyIAS. She has also worked alongside leading NGOs like Oxfam India and Avani Kumaon.
Contact: manisha.waldia@jagrannewmedia.com
-1783155465032_t.webp)
-1783154776810_t.webp)
-1783151381600_t.webp)
