Datuk Dzulkifli MahmudKUALA LUMPUR, June 27 (Bernama) -- Malaysia expects to maintain its total trade with Turkey this year, despite the global economic uncertainty coupled with the geopolitical issue plaguing Turkey recently, said the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation.

Chief Executive Officer Datuk Dzulkifli Mahmud said last year, Malaysia's total trade with Turkey amounted to RM5.65 billion while exports to that country were valued at RM3.80 billion with imports at RM1.85 billion.

"Exports increased 54.5 per cent from 2014, driven by the Malaysia-Turkey Free Trade Agreement (MTFTA) that came into force on Aug 1, 2015.

"As for this year, we hope to continue this positive momentum or at least maintain similar results," he told reporters after attending the Malaysia-Turkey Business Seminar here Monday.

Titled "Exploring Business Opportunities in Turkey", the seminar was conducted in conjunction with the external trade promotion arm's first participation at the 85th International Izmir Fair in Izmir, Turkey on Aug 26-31 this year.

For the first four months of 2016, total trade between the two countries was valued at RM2.28 billion compared with RM1.42 billion in the same period a year ago.

The strong trade was driven by higher exports of, among others, palm oil and palm-based products, textiles and clothing and processed food.

According to Dzulkifli, there are still a lot of untapped opportunities in Turkey for Malaysian companies especially for halal processed food products, exports of which Matrade hopes to increase by 10 per cent.

"With Matrade's assistance, local companies could have access to market intelligence on Turkey and at the same time they could plan a strategic approach in using Turkey as a gateway to Europe and North Africa.

"Additionally, the Turks can also utilise Malaysia as an entry point for ASEAN," he said.

Also attending today's event was Deputy Head of Mission from the Turkish Embassy, Ahmet Dogan.

Asked about the Turkish government's effort to reinforce investor confidence following the back-to-back terrorism attacks, Ahmet said the world is facing challenging times and no country is immune from the terror threat.

"It requires global action and Turkey is taking seriously this threat and fighting against terrorism actively.

"Yet, the fundamentals of the economy are strong, and we are receiving significant foreign direct investment," he said.