Turkish Minister of Development Lütfi Elvan addressing the press conference. Pic: Baher Amin / The Peninsula
DOHA: Qatar and Turkey have huge potential to boost their trade exchange in line with the excellent political relations between the two countries, said Lütfi Elvan, Turkish Minister of Development, at a press conference held at Ritz-Carlton Hotel yesterday.
The press conference was attended by a number of Turkish businessmen and members of various political parties, including opposition, accompanying the visiting minister.
The minister said that Qatar was among the first countries to strongly condemn the coup attempt on July 15.
“The volume of trade exchange between the two countries reached $1.3bn but we are seeking to increase this,” the minister said, adding that there are no obstacles preventing the business sectors in the two countries from strengthening their cooperation, increase investment and launch joint ventures.
“The ties between Qatar and Turkey have witnessed a significant boost, enhanced by the determination of the leadership of both countries, and businessmen must take advantage of this scenario.”
Following the coup attempt, Qatar opened a tourism office in Ankara and this will enhance ties and give more confidence to the Qatari investors and tourists to take advantage of waiver of visa requirements between the two countries, the minister pointed out.
Regarding the Turkish military operation in northern Syria - Operation Eurphrates - the minister told The Peninsula that Turkey respected Syria’s territorial unity and supported efforts by the international community to solve the crisis. He added that Turkey’s aim was to clean the border area from all terrorist groups like ISIS and PKK-PYD and other groups that pose threat to Turkey.
Answering a question, Turkish Ambassador to Qatar Ahmad Dimerok said that the number of Turks in Qatar was in tens of thousands before but the number has reduced due to the big improvement in the living standards in Turkey and better opportunities.
Dimerok emphasized that some Turkish companies investing in Qatar are finding cheaper manpower from other countries though there are no visa or residency permit problems for Turkish citizens in Qatar.
The Turkish Minister of Development underlined the role of Turkish companies operating in Qatar with investment to the tune of $11.6bn, implementing major projects related to the FIFA World Cup 2022 and infrastructure projects.
Talking about Turkish economy, Alwan said that Turkey’s growth rate was five percent in 2015 and will range between 4.5 and 5 percent this year, describing Turkish economy as strong and solid.
During the press conference, members of opposition parties and the ruling party hailed the excellent Qatar-Turkey strategic relations. All speakers called for increasing the volume of trade between the two countries.
