KUALA LUMPUR: Cooperation between Malaysian and Turkish printing companies boosts bilateral relations and also strengthens the sharing of expertise and technology, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
He said this when met after witnessing the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) here between a premier printing solutions provider in Malaysia, Ultimate Print Sdn Bhd, and the Turkish State Mint, Darphane.
"The relationship between Malaysia and Turkiye is indeed close, especially between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey.
"Turkiye will bring its latest technology to Malaysia. I see this as a positive step towards the digital transformation of the country" he said.
Ultimate Print's chief executive officer Azizi Fickry said one of the key focus areas of the collaboration is exploring the potential in security printing, which includes the production of banknotes, tax stamps, e-visas and other high-security documents.
"We are moving to security printing and we have been doing for years in security document printing for the government, mainly for the Royal Malaysia Police, the Inland Revenue Board and the Road Transport Department.
"So the next iteration we are looking for would be high-value security document printing such as the national ID, and passport printing," he said at the press conference.
On the total investment to set up a printing plant, Azizi said it would depend on the security features selected by the government. However, the investment is estimated to range between RM60 million and RM80 million.
Earlier in his speech, Azizi said the partnership marked the beginning of a venture that not only brings together two industry leaders but also strengthens the nations in shared vision and purpose.
"Darphane, a respected leader in security printing and minting, has chosen Ultimate Print and Malaysia as its base for expansion into the Asian market. This decision speaks volumes about our country's appeal as a stable, forward-thinking hub of opportunity," he said.
Azizi said both parties are confident in the immense potential of the security printing sector and thus, aim to establish new benchmarks in quality, efficiency and technological advancement.
"By merging Darphane's world-renowned expertise with Ultimate Print's regional knowledge, we will expand beyond the Malaysian market, establishing a robust presence throughout Asia," he said. — BERNAMA