17.01.2017 Doha / Qatar
Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, President of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), stated that an investment of 140 billion USD is expected in Qatar by 2022 and said, “We want a larger share. Our companies shouldn’t miss this opportunity, the way is open for us.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu spoke
with press members with Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al Thani, President of Qatar
Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as part of his visit to Qatar's capital,
Doha.
Pointing out that the
Gulf and Arab region are very important for Turkey, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that
businessmen want investments to take place in this region.
Hisarcıklıoğlu, who
attended the 2nd SME Conference in Qatar, reported that about 400
businessmen from the two countries are in attendances and that during his
reception by Prime Minister Abdullah bin Nasir Al Sani of Qatar, he had told
him that there would be good news for a new project with regards to Turkey.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu stated
that the new project would be announced by the Prime Minister.
Hisarcıklıoğlu stated
that there is no other example of economic and political relations between
Qatar and Turkey in the world and expressed that the two countries acted as a
single state in every matter including foreign policy, not just in terms of
common interests.
Hisarcıklıoğlu stated
that Qatar has given great support to Turkey in the fight against the
Fetullah-ist Terrorist Organization (FETO) and said, “They do not harbor anybody
especially related to FETO in their country. Especially after the coup attempt,
there was a great negative perception about the Turkish economy abroad. There
are those who knowingly pushed this perception.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu also provided
information about the investments of Qatari companies in Turkey. He reported
that Commercial Bank Qatar has purchased Alternatifbank, Qatar National Bank
has purchased Finansbank, and Qatar Armed Forces Industry Committee were
jointly in the possession of 49% of BMC. Mayhoola Investment has a 31% share in
Boyner Group; Bein Media Group has acquired Digiturk; Al Sraiya Holding has 49%
share of Mado; Qatar Holding 40% share of Banvit; Qatari Diar is investing in
Sea Pearl Ataköy in İstanbul.
Hisarcıklıoğlu went
on, “An investment of approximately 6.5 billion USD is in question. Recently,
the Qatar government has provided advantages to Turkish contractors in large
construction projects. Turkey-Qatar will do bigger things together in the
coming period. We have a three-stage plan. First, increase trade between Turkey
and Qatar. Second, ensure more Qatari companies become commercial partners for our
companies. Third, Qatar’s economic transformation program for 2030. They want
to be a strong country in manufacturing industry and tourism. We also want to share
our experience in this regard. We want to invest in industrial facilities in
Qatar with the support of Qatari capital. We want to continue contracting
projects. The 2022 World Cup matches will be played in Qatar. This is very
important for us. FIFA World Cup will be held in a Muslim country for the first
time.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu, in
his call for Turkish construction sector to invest in Qatar, said, “Up to 2022,
an investment of 140 billion USD is projected for Qatar. We want a larger share.
Our companies shouldn’t miss this opportunity, the way is open for us.
Qatar-Turkey cooperation is a business model that can be a role model for the world.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Qatar
started to focus on SMEs. SMEs also realized the start of industrialization in
Turkey. Today's SMEs are the industrial giants tomorrow. We have the
experience; you have the money. Qatar has its 2030 plan. We shouldn’t just look
at Qatar but consider it as a gateway to the entire African continent. Geography
offers great opportunities.”
TOBB President
Hisarcıklıoğlu also pointed out that there is great potential in tourism,
service and hospitality sectors in Qatar.
- The cost of the new seaborne road to be built by the
Turkish company is 7 billion USD
Qatar Chamber of
Commerce and Industry President Al Thani said that Prime Minister Al Sani
wanted a second Turkish hospital after the first one in Qatar.
Al Thani stated that
Turkey-Qatar trade volume has increased in recent years and noted that there is
close cooperation between Turkey and Qatar in economic, political and security
fields. Al Thani said that they wanted to move towards production, industrialization
and petroleum products as a part of the 2030 goals of Qatar and that they
wanted to develop small and medium sized industry to this end. Al Thani also
noted that the Free Trade Agreement, which is expected to be signed between the
Gulf states, will provide Qatar with the necessary support it needs.
Stating that Turkish
companies have successfully undertaken important projects in Qatar, Al Thani
said that they gave priority to Turkish companies, “All Turkish companies are
successful, and there are examples. TEKFEN completed the northern highway
successfully. The cost of the new seaborne route by the same company is 7
billion USD
Some projects have
already been given to Turkish companies. I hope that a large portion of the other
part will also be granted. The as-yet-unannounced project will also be a part
of this.”