Malaysia A Safe Investment Destination - Turkish Industrialist

By Mohd Haikal Mohd Isa JOHOR BAHARU (Johor,Malaysia), June 23 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's political stability and security have made the country attractive for Turkish investors, says a Turkish industrialist. Mehmet Evyap, Chief Executive Officer of Evyap Soap Malaysia Sdn Bhd, said the government's pro-active attitude and provision of all forms of assistance and services to investors like him is also another pull factor. "Malaysia is a safe investment destination, and the government provides good services and facililities to investors like us to enable us to carry out our operations here. "The government also gave a lot of support and assistance in the construction of our factory recently, and for this we are grateful to all relevant quarters," he said at the foundation stone-laying ceremony of his company's RM400 million (US$125.3 million) integrated oleochemicals plant at Tanjung Langsat Industrial Complex in Pasir Gudang here Friday. Also present were Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Mukriz Mahathir and Chairman of the Turkish Parliament's Public Works, Development, Transport and Tourism Committee, Idris Gulluce. Evyap, one of Turkey's biggest companies, began as a soap manufacturer in Erzurum, Turkey in 1927, before diversifying into personal care and cosmetics products, which are now marketed in 100 countries. The first phase of the plant, on 22.57 ha. of leased land, is expected to be completed in the the first quarter of next year. It will produce soap, liquid detergent and personal care as well as cosmetics products. Meanwhile, Mukhriz said the integrated plant, one of the biggest investments by a Turkish company in Malaysia, will draw more foreign direct investment, especially from Turkey, into the country. It will also strengthen bilateral trade between the two countries, which last year amounted to US$1.16 billion (RM4 billion), he added. -- BERNAMA