Anadolu Agency opens Malaysia office

By Adem Salvarcioglu

KUALA LUMPUR (AA) - Anadolu Agency on Saturday opened its office in Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur in line with its goal of becoming one of the world's most influential news agencies.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Anadolu Agency’s Deputy Director-General Mustafa Ozkaya said the Malaysian office will make a 'significant contribution' to Anadolu Agency's global vision.

"With the opening of our office in China early next week, our structuring in the Asia-Pacific region will be further strengthened," he added.

Ozkaya said the agency continues to set-up offices in all regions, adding that an office in Pakistan will soon be also launched.

On Oct. 23, the agency launched a news service in Indonesian and opened its Pacific Central Office in the capital Jakarta, and on Thursday it launched its 13th language service -- Spanish -- in Colombia.

Ozkaya highlighted the agency will provide news to the countries in their own languages and in Turkish to spread the international news and Turkey’s agenda to the world.

“By these means, Anadolu Agency will reach its global vision on its 100th anniversary,” he said.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ali Turker Pirtini, a member of Anadolu Agency’s Board of Directors said the opening of the office in Malaysia, is important for both the region and Turkey.

"At this point, I think… our offices in the region will provide a great contribution to the regional media,” he added.

Salih Demirkan, another member of Anadolu Agency’s Board of Directors, said that the agency is expanding its news network by opening offices in the Pacific region and Latin America.

Currently posting news in Turkish, English, Arabic, French, the Kurdish dialects of Kurmanji and Sorani, Russian, Bosnian-Croatian-Serbian (BCS), Albanian, Persian, and Macedonian, Anadolu Agency is considered among the most active news agencies in the world.

With its 97 years of experience and a strong network of correspondents in 86 countries, Anadolu Agency delivers over 1,384 news per day, an average of 4,000 images, 400 videos, and 6 infographics to its subscribers worldwide.

Established during the first years of the Turkish War of Independence on April 6, 1920 as one of Turkey’s first national institutions, Anadolu Agency will expand its news network and power around the world with the new language services and central offices.