KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade), in collaboration with Malaysia Airports Holding Bhd (MAHB), is building bridges between Malaysian and Turkish companies by launching an e-Gallery at Istanbul Sabiha G？kcen Airport, Turkey.

       In a statement today, MATRADE shared the e-Gallery Board is an offline-to-online platform that contains the introduction and connection of Malaysian companies from the halal Industry, and consumer goods, rubber products, building materials and automotive parts and components sectors, among others.

       It said visitors simply need to scan the QR code of the sector they are interested in and access company and product details along with a direct one-click connection to Malaysian companies and capture business-to-business (B2B) connection opportunities, eliminating distance in just minute.

       "Leveraging public and private sectors strength to spur the business activities and strategic collaborations among companies from Malaysia and Turkey will expedite growth momentum of our economic ties that bring enormous impacts for business communities from both sides,” Malaysian Ambassador to Turkey Sazali Mustafa Kamal said.

       Driven by the Malaysia-Turkey Free Trade Agreement (MTFTA) that came into force in 2015, Malaysia and Turkey have continued to experience growth in bilateral trade volume as both countries are gateways to Europe and the ASEAN region.

       In 2015, the total value of trade between the two countries was US$1.4 billion (US$1=RM4.22) and this figure increased to US$4 billion in 2021. Efforts to strengthen trade between the two countries continue with MATRADE leading the way.

       "Despite the pandemic, Malaysia’s trade with Turkey recorded the highest performance in 2021 and continued its positive momentum in 2022.

       "MATRADE is committed to facilitating companies from both countries to further expand their market

       reach and encourage strategic partnerships for greater opportunities globally,” MATRADE director (Istanbul) Rosmizah Mat Jusoh said.

       Operated by MAHB, one of the largest airport operator groups in the world in terms of number of passengers handled, the Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport was chosen for this initiative as it is one of Malaysia’s biggest investment in Turkey.

       Meanwhile, MAHB managing director Datuk Iskandar Mizal Mahmood said the company is fully committed to strengthening the relationship further through this latest collaboration with MATRADE as it will provide numerous benefits to businesses in both countries.

       "ISG is a testimony of the strong bilateral relationship between Malaysia and Turkey. ISG is also the ideal platform for such an initiative as it is a place of confluence for business travellers.

       "Thanks to the efforts of the Turkish government in managing the pandemic and promoting safe travel, the airport was ranked Europe’s sixth busiest airport in 2021,” he said.

       In addition to the peak bilateral trade relations in 2021, more Malaysian companies such as home improvement retailer ‘Mr.DIY’ and self-services laundry ‘LaundryBarb’ have expanded their businesses in Turkey,

       Rosmizah said the e-Gallery at Istanbul Sabiha Airport will serve as another platform to bridge the vast potential business areas for both Malaysia and Turkey.

       "MATRADE is optimistic that every effort invested in promoting business relations between Malaysia and Turkey will open the door to a wider market," she added. - Bernama