03/10/2011 (The Star) - Malaysian companies should explore the trade potential in Turkey's sectors like technology, transportation, telecommunication and energy, according to the Malaysian consul-general here.

While trade relationship has improved with Turkey doubling its Malaysian imports to about RM24mil since two decades ago, trade with the Eurasian country remains relatively thin.

Consul-general of Malaysia in Turkey's third largest city Datuk Husamettin Sinlak noted that most of the trade between both countries were confined to Malaysian palm oil and Turkish textiles.

His son, deputy consul Serdar Sinlak, highlighted that “there is more that Malaysia can offer to Turkey or through Turkey to the world”.

“You can use Turkey as a gateway or faraway base for trade with other countries around this region,” he remarked, adding that “there is so much in the areas of technology, telecommunication, transportation and energy that Malaysia can offer here because we have the know-how”.

When asked whether there would be interest in halal food business and Islamic banking, he said those areas would be more than welcomed for Turkish companies to explore.

He also said that the family company Sinlak Holding had identified Scomi Engineering Bhd as a potential partner for Mass Rapid Transit projects in Istanbul, Izmir and Ankara.

The consul added that Malaysians should participate more in the Turkish trade fairs and showcase other products and services they have to offer. Izmir has an annual international trade fair participated by 60 countries.

“The last time any Malaysian company, other than the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda), came to our fair was 10 years ago, ,” he said, adding that in the 23 years he was the honorary consul, Felda was the only Malaysian company that had pursued the Turkish market.

Felda has a partnership with Turkish oil refinery and food manufacturer Felda-Iffco Gida Sanayi ve Ticaret to which it provides palm oil.