BRIDGING YOU TO THE ARAB WORLD Malaysia and the Arab World Arabic English Monthly Magazine (15thth ofof EveryEvery Month),Month), IssueIssue 86,91, FebruaryJuly 2016 2016 / PP 16000/07/2013(032927) / PP 16000/07/2013(032927) EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO MALAYSIA BAŞAK TÜRKOĞLU IMF URGES GCC TO TAKE MEASURES TO WARD OFF SYSTEMIC RISKS ISTANBUL NEW AIRPORT ALL 9 772462 249006 SET AS A HUB ISSN ISSUE 91 RM 6 2462-2494 PP 16000/07/2013(032927) FOR THE 21ST CENTURY 91 On Board More than 30 years of Experience in International Education A wide range of courses ranging from English language programmes and diplomas to degrees and post-graduate studies A variety of study options in private higher educational institutions, foreign university branch campuses and public universities Flexible external degree programmes that cater to different budgets and academic needs Excellent internationally-recognised qualifications - Close to 100,000 international students - 2% of the international student population around the world - More than 2000 courses available EDUCATION MALAYSIA / CONSULATE GENERAL OF MALAYSIA Villa , Street D, Mankhool, Dubai, United Arab Emirates + + mepceim.ae www.educationmalaysia.gov.my ASWAQ INFO TERRORISM AND TOURISM... Terrorism is a strategic issue of huge concern to nations and people alike, DIGITAL ISSUE where catastrophes and its consequences pose a threat to individuals and the community, as those events influence the economy; especially the tourism sector; most recently the unfortunate terrorism attack at Ataturk airport in Istanbul, Turkey , and previously in Egypt, Tunisia and many other nations. A lot of nations worldwide are living in a state of fear and instability caused CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL QATAR OFFICE: by the targeting of terrorist groups that manifests in different forms, Dato Noor Mohamad Mohamed Al Soofi Tel: +974 6668 2824 however, the threat affects vast areas that rely mainly on tourism, a major Mohamed Hassan Mob.: +974 33115135 and important revenue resource. EXECUTIVE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Maher Ibrahim Director & DG Yusuf Waswas Mohamad Al Boutary In a report of the world travel and tourism council released on March, the Dr. Abdulrahim Abdulwahid Eiad Mahmoud Yousuf phenomenon of terrorism came in third place after natural disasters and Abdul Karem Al Jamal OMAN OFFICE: CONSULTANT BOARD Heba Mostafa Hashem Mob.:+968 92925677 political unrest, the report showed the severe influence the terrorism crisis Datuk Seri Azman Ujang Zanib Abdulrahim Director has imposed on the world’s tourism sector, where experts analyzed various Dato Tuan Ibrahim Mohamad Saad ART DIRECTOR factors, including epidemic contagious diseases, environmental disasters, EXECUTIVE MANAGER Manal Basalamah PRINTING and unrest political unrest, and terrorism, revealing that the average period Alaa Abdulwahid Superior Press Sdn Bhd of recovery of the tourism market in a country subjected to terrorist attacks MARKETING PP13331/08/2013(032685) PR AND PUBLISHING Mohammed AbdulRaheem Lot2063A, Jalan Kusta, Dr. Abdulrahim Abdulwahid could reach up to 13 months. www.aswaqpress.com MANAGER Amal Mahfoudh Sungai Buloh Executive Editor-in-Chief & DG It may seem scary and intimidating to tourists if terrorist attacks continue to Kawasan Industri Taman [email protected] [email protected] Giath Fowze DISTRIBUTION Jaya, impact stable regions of the world as well as important tourism attractions 47000 Selangor Darul FINANCIAL MANAGER Waleed Salama and areas, which reduces the chances of tourists to achieve their dreams aswaqpress Ehsan Sara Yasmin DISTRIBUTION CENTERS to visit many famous places in the world, and despite the efforts to Malaysia, UAE, Saudi eradicate terrorism, there is still a security void which contributes to the EDITING MANAGER Arabia, Anas Salman growth of this phenomenon, which obliges everybody to work hard in order Qatar, Kuwait and Oman to restore security. PUBLIC RELATIONS E-MEDIA Basem Ayad As the tourism season in Malaysia is approaching, which aims to attract 36 Mohamed Al Soofi million tourists, with imports estimated at $ 39 billion in 2020, we believe that the government in this country is working on a serious field study relating to all images and dimensions of the tourism worldwide, and especially that Malaysia is considered among one of the few countries across the globe that adopts an open doors policy towards tourists from all over the world, as we see that it provokes terrorist groups and organizations to exploit it MALAYSIA UNITED ARAB EMIRATES No.343 (3-rd Floor) , Jalan 2570/A, Desa Sri Dubai, Deira, Abu Hail, New Safia Building, to its evil deeds and interests in conducting disruptive and aggressive Hartamas, 50480 Kuala Lumpur. M. Floor, Office 53A ،Tel: +603 6201 8841 / 8842 Tel: +971 4 2972740, 2971577 [email protected] Mob.: +971 50 646 97 51 terrorism actions. www.aswaqpress.com E-mail: [email protected] Facebook.com/aswaqpress www.mediahubintl.com Finally, we hope that Malaysia does not get lift out of the tourism competition at the global level, and not to become a target of antagonists aiming to sabotage and compromise the achievements that have been made throughout a long journey of sacrifice, effort, and hard work which in turn DISTRIBUTION LOCATIONS benefited the entire nation, God is the ultimate keeper, but we have to EMIRATES AIRLINES BUSINESS LOUNGE PAVILION MALL KUALA LUMPUR SUNWAY LAGOON PARK ROYAL HOTEL KL MALAYSIAN AIRLINES (IN-FLIGHT) POPULAR BOOKSTORE work hard and be vigilant and warry all the time. TIMES BOOKSTORE TIMES THE BOOKSHOP BERJAYA BOOKS WH SMITH (KLIA, LANGKAWI AIRPORT, PENANG AIRPORT) COLD STORAGE MY HERO MERCATO AEON BIG ASWAQ Magazine | July 2016 7 ASWAQ INFO ASWAQ INFO ‘ABU DHABI PLAN’ CAPITALISING ON ECONOMIC STRATEGIES 14 MATRADE LAUNCHES MALAYSIA-TURKEY INDEX BUSINESS CLUB 18 ISTANBUL NEW EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH TURKISH AIRPORT ALL SET AS AMBASSADOR TO MALAYSIA A HUB FOR THE 21ST CENTURY 16 BAŞAK TÜRKOĞLU 24 IMF URGES GCC TO TAKE MEASURES TO WARD OFF SYSTEMIC RISKS 10 26 WORLD BANK CUTS GCC GROWTH FORECAST 8 ASWAQ Magazine | July 2016 ASWAQ Magazine | July 2016 9 REPORT REPORT One can also envision Malaysia and Turkey as both located in the middle of major sea trade routes. stable and successful moderate Muslim countries Malaysia, a member of ASEAN and a major player EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO MALAYSIA working together to promote global peace and in the region, is considered as a natural partner understanding. Turkey and Malaysia have long for Turkey. We look forward to further deepen our been regarded as the most developed countries relations with ASEAN and I think that the opening BAŞAK TÜRKOĞLU: in the Muslim world. Through a historic commitment door pass through Malaysia. There are many fields to modernization and development, they have such as trade, tourism, aviation, maritime transport, I FELT VERY MUCH AT HOME FROM THE VERY FIRST not only achieved standards of infrastructure, education, culture, science and research which education, health care, but also industrialization would yield mutually beneficial results for both MOMENT I STEP FOOT IN MALAYSIA AND I AM HAPPY and economic progress that are comparable to countries. TO SEE THAT THE RELATIONS BETWEEN THE TWO many other developed countries. COUNTRIES IS CONSTANTLY DEVELOPING. Welcome to “ASWAQ” Magazine, and we are here STRENGTHEN to discuss about the history of relations between Turkey and Malaysia RELATIONS The relations between Turkey and Malaysia have been strong since the establishment of diplomatic BETWEEN relations in 1964. We currently enjoy very good political, economic and cultural relations. Turkey THE TWO and Malaysia have similar positions on most global issues and we share deep historical and religious COUNTRIES IN ties which further strengthen the bonds between Turkish and Malaysian people. Both countries VARIOUS FIELDS also face similar opportunities and challenges for various reasons, such as their geographical location. Turkey being a country in Eurasia region How would you describe the economic rela- and Malaysia having a similar important location tions between Turkey and Malaysia and what is in the South East Asia. it based on? The bilateral economic and trade relations are considered very well and at the same time they are also very promising. Over the last ten years the trade between the two countries has doubled, a free trade agreement was signed and came into effect last year in August. This has injected a new momentum to our bilateral trade. It is the first free trade agreement Turkey signed with an ASEAN member country. Our export to Malaysia is mainly based on defense industry projects. Then comes the petroleum products, gold, carpets, minerals and food products. In terms of imports, Turkey mainly during the visit of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mevlut Cavusoglu. Mohd Alsoofi- Kuala Lumpur imports palm oil, synthetic yard, rubber, electronic In recent years, senior officials from both countries have recalled their historical ties Asia-Pacific is considered as the rising power circuits, coconut, telephones, raw aluminum and and have trumpeted the bilateral relationship’s potential, especially in the economic and ASEAN is one of the important regional synthetic fibers. Mostly we import raw materials scene. Some envision Turkey serving as Malaysia’s diplomatic and economic gateway organizations in this region. ASEAN, being the 8th and intermediary products. to Europe, with Malaysia becoming Turkey’s entry point to the Asia Pacific region. largest economy in the world and the 4th biggest When we look at the figures in 2015, our exports trade entity in the world with a dynamic population to Malaysia increased 13.4% and our imports of almost 650 million people, is strategically increased 15.3%. The overall trade volume 10 ASWAQ Magazine | July 2016 ASWAQ Magazine | July 2016 11 REPORT REPORT Turkey offers various options to people from information through our social media accounts different walks of life. You know that Turkey has a and they can reach us 24 hours, round the clock. deep-rooted history. It is described as the cradle of civilizations.