ANTALYA (TURKEY), Nov 14 (Bernama) -- While bilateral relations between Malaysia and Turkey is satisfactory, there is more scope for investments by the latter in the country.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Turkish investments in Malaysia totalled only US$241 million compared to Malaysia's US$2.5 billion in it.
He said this at a press conference here after a courtesy call and a 45-minute bilateral discussion with Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Malaysian investments in Turkey were through Khazanah Nasional Bhd, including US$1.4 billion in the healthcare sector, US$714 million via Malaysian Airports Holdings Bhd in the development and maintenance of the Sabiha Gokcen Istanbul (ISGIA) International Airport, as well as Avicenna Capital Sdn Bhd in providing the Acibadem Sigorta healthcare insurance at US$252 million.
Najib also stated that bilateral trade between both countries will continue to chart positive progress with the measures following enforcement of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed last August.
"The FTA has resulted in bilateral trade between January to August this year jumping 40 per cent compared to the same period of last year," he added.
Total trade between January to August was at US$916 million and Najib said Erdogan had indicated his desire to see bilateral relations grow to achieve the target of US$5 billion by 2018.
According to Najib, the number of Malaysian tourists to Turkey had reached 70,000, while 16,500 Turks visited Malaysia, with Turkish Airlines increasing flights from seven to 10 weekly.
In respect of education, there were 144 Malaysians in Turkey, with 236 Turkish students in Malaysia.
Erdogan also informed Najib that he was satisfied with the cooperation between Petronas and the Turkish authorities to develop oil fields in Iraqi territory and called for ventures into Turkmenistan next.
In terms of security cooperation, Najib said he was satisfied with the selection of Turkish defence industry firm, FNSS, to supply eight wheel-drive armored personnel carriers and combat vehicles.
Najib said he was also invited by Erdogan to attend the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Summit and the World Humanitarian Summit to be held in Istanbul next year.
The Prime Minister arrived here late last night for a three-day working visit in conjunction with the G20 Summit hosted by Turkey.
-- BERNAMA
Source: http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v8/bu/newsbusiness.php?id=1189591
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