Malaysia, Turkiye Should Collaborate In Key Sectors To Achieve US$10 Bln Trade Target -- PM Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 11 (Bernama) -- Malaysia and Turkiye need to collaborate in various sectors,  including semiconductors, agri-commodities, electrical and electronics (E&E) as well as food and beverages (F&B) to achieve the US$10 billion (RM44.68 billion) bilateral trade target, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Yesterday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is on a two-day official visit to Malaysia at the invitation of Anwar, said Turkiye aimed to double its trade with Malaysia to US$10 billion after surpassing the US$5 billion (RM22.34 billion) mark in 2024.

In response, Anwar acknowledged that while the target is ambitious, he believes Malaysia can facilitate Turkiye in achieving it.

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“There is no reason why developing or emerging economies like Malaysia and Turkiye cannot increase their intra-trade.

“We therefore need to work in various fields, such as semiconductors, agri-commodities, E&E and F&B,” he said, also emphasising the importance of cooperation in the defence sector and technology exchange.

Anwar said this in a joint press conference with Erdogan, which was broadcast live today.

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Anwar called for continued collaboration with Turkiye in sectors such as energy, particularly with state-owned oil and gas company Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) and related firms, halal industries, healthcare, digital technology and disaster management.

He also praised Turkiye’s successful transformation of its airline and airport management, urging the sharing of its best practices.

Meanwhile, Erdogan said his recent discussions with Anwar had examined opportunities for cooperation in various fields such as industry and technology, energy, tourism and commerce, as well as culture and education,

“And we have focused extensively on concrete steps to be taken forward,” he said.

He added that Turkiye was determined to sustain its momentum in the defence industry through technology transfer and joint manufacturing, and its companies are ready to share their expertise and products with Malaysia for mutual benefit.

On the US$10 billion trade target with Malaysia -- Turkiye’s largest trading partner in ASEAN -- Erdogan expressed hope that the upcoming Business Forum would serve as an opportunity to unveil new cooperation models and investment projects.

-- BERNAMA