ISTANBUL, 24 Feb (Bernama) -- International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed says the outcome of the three-day official visit to Turkey by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak will be evident in a year.
"I believe with the impending signing of the free trade agreement, I expect another two rounds of negotiations to go by middle of this year, and when the strategic partnership agreement is signed and when the visit by Turkish leader (Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan) (to Malaysia) at the end of this year, will conclude all our efforts that have be done so far to boost investment and trade relations," he said.
Mustapa said the Turkish authorities have taken fast follow-up action pursuant to Najib's visit as a 67-member delegation comprising entrepreneurs, investors and traders will come to Malaysia in mid-April.
"This is the biggest Turkish delegation to visit Malaysia (so far). I think this is the fastest follow-up action taken by them following our prime minister's visit," he told Malaysian journalists here on the outcome of Najib's three-day visit to Turkey which ended Thursday.
The minister said the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA); Malaysian External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade); and his ministry would help facilitate Malaysian entrepreneurs and investors to promote Malaysia in Turkey.
Mustapa said Malaysia now saw Turkey as a country with vast potential after Istanbul implemented several transformations over the last decade. Turkey at one time was a country saddled with myriad of problems, but today it was recording high growth rate.
Last year, it registered more than eight per cent growth while the growth forecast for the next five years is six or seven per cent. Besides that, he said, Turkey had several strengths like political stability; increasingly matured democracy that leads to sound investment climate; and receives high foreign direct investments (FDIs) among developing nations.
It also has its own strength, particularly in the automotive sector, as its biggest export components are cars and car components, accounting to more than 12 per cent.
Mustapa said Turkey was also a giant in the construction and manufacturing sectors especially in producing foodstuff.
"Malaysian construction companies can join hands with renowned Turkish counterparts to venture into the north Africa market, Saudi Arabia, Russia and to Central Asian countries which have potential, he said.
As to negligible Turkish investments ini Malaysia currently, Mustapa said he believed Najib's visit would certainly boost Malaysian investors' interest to trade with Turkey and vice-versa.
In the halal field, the minister said Turkey had good prospects given its proximity to Europe and its close relations with Germany, France, Italy and other European nations.
"I believe with the impending signing of the free trade agreement, I expect another two rounds of negotiations to go by middle of this year, and when the strategic partnership agreement is signed and when the visit by Turkish leader (Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan) (to Malaysia) at the end of this year, will conclude all our efforts that have be done so far to boost investment and trade relations," he said.
Mustapa said the Turkish authorities have taken fast follow-up action pursuant to Najib's visit as a 67-member delegation comprising entrepreneurs, investors and traders will come to Malaysia in mid-April.
"This is the biggest Turkish delegation to visit Malaysia (so far). I think this is the fastest follow-up action taken by them following our prime minister's visit," he told Malaysian journalists here on the outcome of Najib's three-day visit to Turkey which ended Thursday.
The minister said the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA); Malaysian External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade); and his ministry would help facilitate Malaysian entrepreneurs and investors to promote Malaysia in Turkey.
Mustapa said Malaysia now saw Turkey as a country with vast potential after Istanbul implemented several transformations over the last decade. Turkey at one time was a country saddled with myriad of problems, but today it was recording high growth rate.
Last year, it registered more than eight per cent growth while the growth forecast for the next five years is six or seven per cent. Besides that, he said, Turkey had several strengths like political stability; increasingly matured democracy that leads to sound investment climate; and receives high foreign direct investments (FDIs) among developing nations.
It also has its own strength, particularly in the automotive sector, as its biggest export components are cars and car components, accounting to more than 12 per cent.
Mustapa said Turkey was also a giant in the construction and manufacturing sectors especially in producing foodstuff.
"Malaysian construction companies can join hands with renowned Turkish counterparts to venture into the north Africa market, Saudi Arabia, Russia and to Central Asian countries which have potential, he said.
As to negligible Turkish investments ini Malaysia currently, Mustapa said he believed Najib's visit would certainly boost Malaysian investors' interest to trade with Turkey and vice-versa.
In the halal field, the minister said Turkey had good prospects given its proximity to Europe and its close relations with Germany, France, Italy and other European nations.
"So, Turkey will surely provide a base for Malaysian companies engaged in halal business," he said.
Mustapa said his ministry had no plans as yet to open a Mida and Matrade representative office in Turkey but would send its officials based in Saudi Arabia more frequently to that country.