2 Turkish firms to put up factories in Phl

MANILA, Philippines - Two Turkish firms are interested to set-up manufacturing plants in the Philippines.

Ezinc Holdings, producer of solar energy, aluminum pipes and steam boiler, is looking to set-up a factory in the country.

“We did not only come here to sell but to check if we can invest in a factory,” Ali Ezinc, chairman of the board of Ezinc Holdings told reporters.

He said he plans to visit Zamboanga and Davao as he looks for a location for the planned investment.

Should the firm decide to set-up a manufacturing plant here, he said the firm will not only be able to sell to the domestic market but also export products to other countries in the Southeast Asian region.

Turkish Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines Inc. president Irfan Karabulut told reporters that apart from Ezinc, Tuna Steel Door, Turkey’s largest manufacturer of steel doors, hotel doors and dampers, is likewise looking to establish a galvanized steel and metal plant here.

He, however, declined to give more details about the plan.

The two firms were part of the Turkish business mission to the country held last week.

Karabulut said Turkish firms are interested to do business in the Philippines as it is seen as a gateway to the Asia-Pacific region.

“Since it (Philippines) is one of the fastest growing economies in Asia, and Turkey is also one of the fastest growing economies, we think the two countries can be good partners,” he said.

He said the Philippines’ average age of 21 years old and the Filipino’s ability to speak the English language well and learn, are other reasons that make the country an attractive place for investments.

Turkey is the sixth largest economy in the European Union and the 15th in the world.