Doha
Qatar is one of the most important markets for Turkish business circle in the Middle East with huge natural and economic resources, Ugur Ozturk, Director General for Free Zones, Foreign Promotion and Services at the Turkey’s Ministry of Economy, has said.
“Qatar has plenty of opportunities and huge potentials for Turkish businessmen,” he added.
Ozturk, who is leading a delegation of Electrometrical Industrialists Association of Turkey (EMSAD), said this during a meeting with Qatar Chamber (QC) officials in Doha on Wednesday.
He said the objective of the visit is to explore the investment opportunities available in the country, besides strengthening cooperation with Qatari counterparts.
Ozuturk affirmed the importance of electromechanical sector in mega projects being implemented in Qatar, especially for infrastructure work of the FIFA World Cup projects.
Meanwhile, Qatar Chamber (QC) board member Mohamed Mahdi al Ahbabi said that Qatar-Turkey bilateral relations have rapidly developed in all fields and further opportunities for mutual cooperation are in abundance.
Ahbabi said the memorandums of understanding (MoUs) and agreements signed between the two countries, play a key role in boosting trade ties.
“It helps in increasing Qatar-Turkish trade exchange, which reached $1.5 billion in 2016.”
Ahbabi hailed Turkey’s stand towards Doha following the illegal blockade imposed on Qatar by the Saudi-led bloc.
“From the first day of the illiegal siege, Turkey provided the Qatari market with food products and goods by air and sea,” he noted.
He said Qatari companies and businessmen are looking forward to strengthen trade relations with Turkish electromechanical companies.
According to Ahbabi, currently there are 186 Qatari-Turkish joint firms and 19 independent Turkish companies operating in Qatar in the fields of infrastructure, contracting, construction, engineering, trade and electricity.
The volume of projects implemented in Qatar by Turkish companies are valued at $11.6 billion, he pointed out.
QC board members Ali Abdul Latif al Misnad, Mohamed bin Ahmed al Obaidli and Dr Mohamed Johar were also present at the meeting, a statement said.
Turkey shares the same objectives and ideas with Qatar regarding the ongoing unjust siege, Ozturk noted.
Speaking about the EMSAD, he pointed out the association was established in 1992 to bring professional manufacturing and contracting companies of electricity sector that are operating as per the international standards under one umbrella.
Under EMSAD, there are 46 local and international companies, he added.
Source: Qatar Tribune