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Tribune News Network
Doha
The ongoing Gulf crisis represents an opportunity to consolidate Qatar's position on the world economic map and achieve its economic independence and security, Minister of Economy and Commerce HE Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohammed al Thani said on Thursday.
In a speech at a programme in honour of the Qatari delegation in the Turkish city of Izmir, Sheikh Ahmed said the Qatari economy has proved resilient to global economic challenges that have impacted major economies.
"Qatar was able, under the directives of the wise leadership, to break the siege within hours through activation of its strategies and proactive plans that have been in place for many years to address any local or global crises," he said, highlighting the efforts of the public and private sectors by increasing the local production and opening new channels with various trading partners across the world.
Sheikh Ahmed thanked and praised Turkey for supporting Qatar during the current crisis, stressing that Turkey's honourable position reflects a long history of bilateral relations that has grown stronger under the wise leadership of the Emir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
He stressed that Qatar succeeded in maintaining the continuous flow of products to its domestic market at the same pace as before, ensuring there is no shortage.
He highlighted that Qatar's large natural resources, represented by its natural gas exports, played an important role in supporting the Qatari economy and helping it withstand the arbitrary measures imposed on Doha by the boycotting countries. The minister said the action of the blockading countries was a clear violation of international laws and treaties.
"The Qatari economy will not be affected by the illegal measures taken by teh four countries."
Qatar has successfully overcome the challenges facing export and trade activity through its seaport and airport, he added.
He said the port has established direct commercial lines with a number of strategic ports around the world.
The Hamad International Airport has also contributed to maintaining passenger and cargo traffic at a normal pace to more than 150 destinations around the world, he added.
The minister said the contribution of the non-oil sector accounted for more than 70 percent of nominal GDP in 2016.
He said that Qatari economy offers huge investment opportunities not only in the field of food security, but also in the logistics, sports, tourism and health sectors.
On Qatari-Turkish bilateral relations, he said the two countries enjoy fraternal ties and unique relations that have grown stronger over the past decades in various fields.
He said these relations have reflected positively on the volume of bilateral trade, which reached QR 2 billion, during the first half of 2017.
The minister said the meeting would contribute increasing in the volume of bilateral trade, facilitate the flow of Turkish goods and promote successful investment partnerships that will bolster the economies of both countries.
Sheikh Ahmed and his Turkish counterpart Nihat Zeybekci also discussed Turkish-Qatari agreement to increase trade and investment flow and facilitate commercial activity.
Sheikh Ahmed also explained Qatar's position at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the state's recent decision to file a formal complaint with the WTO Dispute Settlement Body against countries that imposed a siege on Qatar.
The agenda of the Qatari delegation, which brought together more than 100 businessmen from Qatar, included meetings between Qatari businessmen and their Turkish counterparts to discuss the promotion of trade relations, as well as to assess investment opportunities and the establishment of joint ventures in both Qatar and Turkey.
The meetings and bilateral discussions resulted in the signing of a number of agreements between Qatari and Turkish companies.
