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Malek Helali
Doha
TURKISH exports to Qatar totalled $649mn with 48 percent growth in 2017 and Qatari exports to Turkey increased by 65% to $652mn, according to the Ambassador of Turkey to Qatar HE Fikret Ozer.
The Ambassador noted that the trade volume was equal to $1,3 billion in 2017 with a 56% increase from $834mn volume of 2016.
In a recent interview with Qatar Tribune, HE Ozer noted that since Qatar imports most of its needs and Turkey is a producing country, the current trade exchange rate is considered low and should increase further.
"Exports related to infrastructure should be further intensified and included in trade between the two countries. For instance, Turkish construction companies in Qatar are operating with imported products from other countries that were involved in planning the World Cup projects and have listed the products of their own countries aligning with their specifications. On the other hand, Turkey is huge in the field of construction and we produce everything they need with the same quality, but we are still unable to export them to Qatar due to challenges related to specifications," the Ambassador explained.
He noted that the Qatari and the Turkish specification institutes have signed agreements in many fields such as civil defense and that there was a significant increase of Turkish exports to Qatar. However, some logistical challenges should be overcome, according to the Ambassador.
"There needs to be a permanent transport line by sea that is reliable for exporters to send their goods. Ships should be filled when they arrive and when they leave because if they come filled and leave empty, then the cost will be higher than the profit. We are working on overcoming these challenges in order to further increase the trade exchange between our countries," HE Ozer added.
Furthermore, an agreement is soon to be reached for the opening of cultural centres in both countries, according to the Ambassador."Additionally, some universities such as Qatar University agreed with several universities in Turkey to implement student exchange programmes and employ Turkish experts and instructors," he added.
Three years ago, a Turkish cultural centre was opened in Qatar that now has over 100 students learning the Turkish language at different levels, according to the Ambassador."We also participate in cultural events in Katara and we have cultural delegations participating from Turkey," he said.
According to HE Ozer, with the increasing number of Turkish companies and the increase in the economic activities between the countries, the Turkish population in Qatar is expected to keep increasing."After the blockade, Qatar's policy regarding production and self-sufficiency has changed and some factories and farms are being established in Qatar and will be operating under Turkish companies," he added.
