Chairman of Qatar Chamber Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani (left) and Vice-President of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce Dr. Israfil Kurulay.
Doha: Qatar Chamber and Istanbul Chamber of Commerce praised the strength and sustainability of Qatari-Turkish relations, noting that the visit of the Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to the Republic of Turkiye to participate in the eighth session of the Qatari-Turkish Supreme Strategic Committee will enhance cooperation and open new horizons between the two countries, especially in the commercial and economic fields.
Speaking to QNA, Chairman of Qatar Chamber (QC) Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani reiterated the growing bilateral trade between both countries. Total volume of trade exchange between Qatar and Turkiye witnessed a 106 percent increase when it surged to QR6.9bn in 2021 from QR3.34bn in 2016, he said.
Vice-President of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce Dr. Israfil Kurulay also told QNA that total Qatari investments in Turkiye amounted to around $33.2bn by the end of 2020. In the last 10 years, the volume of trade exchange increased from $340m to $2.24bn, he said.
According to Sheikh Khalifa, Turkiye is an outstanding tourist and investment destination, pointing out that Qatar was one of the largest foreign investors in Turkiye. Qatar’s diversified investments in Turkiye include several sectors, most notably tourism, real estate and banking, he said, adding that in return, hundreds of Turkish companies are investing in the Qatari market and have projects in partnership with Qatari companies in various economic sectors, particularly in trade, contracting, services and hospitality.
Hailing the strong Qatar-Turkiye relations in various fields, particularly in the economic, trade and investment sectors, Sheikh Khalifa said that His Highness’ visit will positively impact the trade and investment exchange, cooperation and partnership relations between the business sectors in both countries.
He highlighted Qatari businessmen’s desires to boost cooperation with their Turkish counterparts, and to establish alliances and partnerships to benefit from Turkish expertise in setting up joint investments, whether in the two countries or in other countries that offer an atmosphere conducive to investments.
Commenting on the important role played by the Qatari-Turkish Supreme Strategic Committee in fostering and elevating bilateral cooperation relations, Sheikh Khalifa said that 16 cooperation agreements were signed in the Committee’s first meeting in Doha in 2015, pointing that the economic relations between the two countries witnessed rapid growth year after year.
He stressed the close cooperation relations between the QC and Turkiye’s Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchange amid reciprocal visits and a common desire to enhance cooperation and pave the way for companies of the two countries to establish commercial alliances and partnerships.
He added that the QC recently hosted many Turkish delegations and took part in several important economic events held in Turkiye, during which it discussed ways to boost trade and investment cooperation between both countries.
For his part, Vice-President of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce Dr. Israfil Kurulay praised the strength and sustainability of Qatari-Turkish relations.
He stressed that Qatar and Turkiye have had strong relations for many years at the highest political, economic, and social levels. During the last period, many agreements were concluded between the two countries that contributed to creating an atmosphere of continuity in the course of relations, he highlighted.
Kurulay added that the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce attaches great importance to the relationship with Qatar, and added that the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce encourages Qatari business owners to increase their investments in Turkiye and cooperate with their Turkish counterparts in establishing partnerships and alliances, whether in Qatar or Turkiye. He also called on Qatari companies to increase their investments in Turkiye and take advantage of the advanced infrastructure and attractive investment climate.
As for the e-commerce between Turkiye and Qatar, he praised Qatar for this step and said that it is an opportunity to market more than 5 million Turkish products in Qatar. He described this step as a new way to facilitate trade between both countries.
Kurulay said many Turkish companies are operating in the Qatari market in various economic sectors, especially in trade, contracting, construction, health sector, services, and real estate.
He pointed out that Qatar and Turkiye have strong economic relations, which culminated in agreements in the energy, infrastructure, manufacturing, military equipment, and tourism fields.
In 2015, trade exchange between both countries reached $849.562m; Turkish exports to Qatar stood at $432.845m, while imports amounted to $416.717m. In 2021, bilateral trade between Qatar and Turkiye reached $1.151bn, while Turkish exports to Qatar amounted to $568,198 and imports stood at $1.719bn, he said.
Total Qatari investments in Turkiye amounted to around $33.2bn by the end of 2020. In the last 10 years, the volume of trade exchange increased from $340m to $2.24bn, he said.
He highlighted that 535 Turkish companies are operating in Qatar in various fields, especially in the construction sector. The value of the contribution of Turkish construction companies to infrastructure projects in Qatar has reached $18.3bn through the implementation of 146 projects.
He said there are approximately 182 companies in Turkiye, with Qatari capital at a rate of $33bn. Meanwhile, more than 711 Turkish companies operate in Qatar, including 664 companies with Qatari and Turkish capital, 47 with 100 percent Turkish capital, and 15 Turkish companies in the free zone in Qatar.
Regarding Qatar’s hosting of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, he stressed that this will enhance Qatar’s role in the world, since it is hosted by an Islamic country for the first time, which lays the foundation for more achievements made recently by the State of Qatar.
