Kuala Lumpur: Turkiye aims to double its trade with Malaysia to US$10 billion after surpassing the US$5 billion mark in 2024, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced today.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Erdogan emphasized the desire to enhance joint efforts across various sectors, including semiconductor technologies, automotive, aircraft technologies, and civil aviation simulators, while delivering a public lecture. Earlier in the day, the Turkish president received an honorary doctorate in international relations from Universiti Malaya (UM) for his contributions to global diplomacy and international relations.
Erdogan arrived in Malaysia for a two-day official visit, accompanied by First Lady Emine Erdogan. They were welcomed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in Sepang. The president highlighted Turkiye’s commitment to deepening economic ties with Malaysia, building on the comprehensive strategic partnership established in 2022.
He noted that the relationship, elevated to a ‘strategic partnership’ level in 2014, continues to grow with concrete cooperation initiatives. Erdogan praised Malaysia’s dynamic economy and qualified human resources, emphasizing the significance of strengthening cooperation with Malaysia.
Erdogan mentioned existing collaborations, such as Turkish Aviation Industries creating jobs for over 100 young Malaysian engineers, and the ongoing construction of littoral mission ships by Turkiye. Additionally, he noted significant cooperation on the Anka-S unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
Erdogan discussed plans for a Turkish Maarif Foundation school in Malaysia, aiming to strengthen the bond between the two nations for future generations. He invited young students to take advantage of educational opportunities in Turkiye, highlighting the investments made in education.
Lastly, Erdogan commended Malaysia’s ASEAN chairmanship and its achievements in diplomacy, manufacturing, finance, and trade under Anwar’s leadership, expressing hope that this term would further strengthen cooperation between Turkiye and ASEAN.