17.01.2018 Doha / Qatar
TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that almost 200 businessmen each from Turkey and Qatar participated to Turkey-Qatar Business Forum and within the event each firm made approximately 6 business meeting and in total more than thousand bilateral business meetings had been carried out.
Following
visits, contacts in Qatar Hisarcıklıoğlu and Minister of Custom and Trade Bülent
Tüfenkci fielded questions by the press.
Indicating
that countries in the region with almost 50 million population are a very
important market for Turkey, Hisarcıklıoğlu said "It is the high time to
do business with Qatar. Today there is a market available where we can sell A
to Z consumer’s goods. The interest towards Turkey is very intense and there is
an enormous opportunity. Economically as well as the country, we must benefit
such opportunity."
Hisarcıklıoğlu
told that transportation of the goods to Qatar through land route is not
possible except through Iran. Underlining that using air and sea transportation
increase the time and cost Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that alternative routes are
currently on government’s agenda.
Pointing out
that investments in Turkey by companies from Qatar significantly increased in
the last 5 years, Hisarcıklıoğlu said "According to the official figures it
is almost 1.3 billion USD. Companies from Qatar are making investments to every
sector including media. Within 2022 World
Cup and 2030 vision, 100 billion USD worth of infrastructural investment shall
be made in Qatar. We must benefit from those accordingly.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu
stating that within his contacts in Qatar, they met with Qatar Prime Minister Başbakanı
Al Sani, also said "He also stated that all kinds of incentives shall be
provided to Turkish firms to enable them engage in business activities in
Qatar. In this respect we are very pleased. There is opportunities in every
area, our companies should not miss such opportunity."
-Minister Tüfenkci
Minister of
Custom and Trade Bülent Tüfenkci stating that 2022 World Cup which would be
held in Qatar and accompanying business volume create excitement amongst
Turkish firms, said "Qatar Prime Minister stated that especially Turkish
firms shall be given priority in tenders. Now, we want Turkish firms go down
hard and involve closely with the projects."
Indicating
that situations in Iraq and Syria bring additional costs and difficulties to
transportation Tüfenkci also said that following the negotiations carried out
with Iran and Qatar under the guidance of Ministry of Economics, reaching to
Qatar through Iran has become more advantageous. Tüfenkci said "It takes 5
days Turkish goods reaching to Qatar through Iraq. At the same time we want to
reduce the costs, we expect Iraq to take steps for facilitating transit passes.
We, Ministry of Economy and Foreign Ministry will step in and put this into
practise."
Stating that
Qatar Prime Minister Şeyh Abdullah bin Nasır bin Halife Al Sani accepted
Turkish delegation, Tüfenkci told that they considered that during the meeting
they are determined to improve relations with Turkey. Stating that 2022 World
Cup which would be held in Qatar and accompanying business volume create
excitement amongst Turkish firms, Tüfenkci also said "Qatar Prime Minister
stated that especially Turkish firms shall be given priority in tenders. Now,
we want Turkish firms go down hard and involve closely with the projects."
Stating that
they are working on trust stamp in electronic commerce together with TOBB
Tüfenkci added "Not that being mandatory, we will enable consumer to
realise shopping can made from the sites with peace of mind that we give trust
stamp and when there is a complaint, it will be monitored by our ministry and
confidence provider organisation. Therefore, we will ensure e-commerce site
with trust stamp to distinguish."