Friday, Apr 11, 2014
Abu Dhabi: Turkish government-backed Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) is open to partnering with Mubadala following discussions with its “friends from the UAE,” TAI president and CEO has said.
“We had discussions with our friends from the UAE several times and they are well aware of our capabilities and we are well aware of their serious intentions,” Muharrem Dortkasli said in an interview.
Dortkasli spoke to Gulf News at the Global Aerospace Summit in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.
TAI is one of the drivers behind Turkey’s recent industrial and economic growth.
The Turkish government has heavily invested in the company since it nationalised the joint venture in 2005, increasing the number of engineers and indigenous programmes.
TAI manufacturers civilian and military parts and equipment and its partnerships include Boeing and Airbus.
“I would be very happy to establish some sort of cooperation, collaboration or partnership with Mubadala and with other [companies] in the UAE,” Dortkasli said.
Mubadala has its own aerospace and defence projects, partnering with Lockheed Martin, Boeing and Airbus, among others.
Asked whether he was cautious about being caught up in a political tit-for-tat between Turkey and the UAE — the two countries have disagreed on the ousting of former Egyptian president Mohammad Mursi — Dortkasli said he had received no indication on this issue from his government.
Last year, Abu Dhabi government-owned Taqa pulled out of a $12 billion (Dh44 billion) investment in Turkey. The Turkish government said the company pulled out of the project due to “political reasons”. A Taqa spokesperson said last month that “the project remains suspended.”
By Alexander Cornwell Staff Reporter
Gulf News 2014. All rights reserved.
