28.08.2023 Ankara
The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB) President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu said in his speech at the Türkiye-Saudi Arabia Round Table Meeting, “I think we can reach a trade volume of 10 billion dollars in the first stage with the momentum that has been achieved. In the medium and long term, we can realize a trade volume of 30 billion dollars.”
Türkiye-Saudi Arabia Round Table Meeting was organized at TOBB
Twin Towers. The meeting was attended by Bender bin Ibrahim El-Harif, Minister
of Industry and Mineral Resources of Saudi Arabia, and businessmen.
Hisarcıklıoğlu, in his speech in which he described Türkiye's
economic activities and size, said that as the Turkish business world, they are
extremely happy that the economic relations between the countries have revived.
Stating that the “Saudi Arabia 2030 Vision” put forward by Crown
Prince Mohammed bin Salman will make a significant contribution to the goals of
becoming a strong, innovative and leading country in its region, Hisarcıklıoğlu
said, “In particular, I find the steps to develop the non-oil sector in the
economy and to encourage entrepreneurship very valuable. In this framework, we
are ready to take part as the Turkish business world in projects to be carried
out in various fields such as technology, tourism, transportation and energy.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that the historical roots and foundation of
the commercial and economic relations of the two countries are solid and that
they want to diversify and deepen the relations in the new period.
- “We
welcome many more Saudi investors to our country”
Pointing out that mutual trade developed positively last year,
Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “This year, we see a serious growth in our trade. With the
momentum gained, I think we can reach a trade volume of 10 billion dollars in
the first stage. In the medium to long term, we can realize a trade volume of
30 billion dollars.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu pointed out that Saudi Arabia has made direct
investments of around 2 billion dollars in Türkiye so far, and noted the
following:
“We all know that this amount is far from reflecting the potential
of our countries. We expect much more Saudi investors to come to our country. On
the other hand, Saudi Arabia is very important for our contracting sector. Our
contracting companies have successfully completed 390 projects worth 25 billion
dollars in Saudi Arabia so far. There is a great potential in the field of
mutual investments and contracting. In the coming period, we want to cooperate
more together. We want to cooperate more not only in both countries, but also
in the third countries in the geographies where Saudi Arabia has influence,
together with Saudi business people. We are waiting for support for the
settlement of past disputes in the field of construction. We are extremely
happy that the letter of guarantee issue has been resolved. In this context, I
would like to thank for the convenience provided for our business people to
obtain visas.”
- Saudi
Arabia's Minister of Industry Alkhorayef
Bandar Ibrahim Alkhorayef, Minister of Industry and Mineral
Resources of Saudi Arabia, stated that they are trying to promote investment
opportunities in Saudi Arabia, especially in the industrial and mining sectors,
and said, “We trust the Turkish investor and we sincerely hope that Türkiye
will take advantage of these opportunities.”
After the Türkiye-Saudi Arabia Round Table Meeting held at TOBB
Twin Towers with the participation of TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu
and many business people, Alkhorayef made evaluations about his visit to
Türkiye to the press members.
Alkhorayef expressed his pleasure to visit Türkiye and said that
the economic relations between the two countries are at an advanced level and
have made great progress.
“We trust Turkish investors and we sincerely hope that Türkiye
will take advantage of these opportunities,” Alkhorayef said, adding that the
purpose of this visit was to introduce Turkish investors to the investment
opportunities in Saudi Arabia, especially in the industrial and mining sectors,
and to show their importance.
Alkhorayef said that his visit would last for 5 days and that he
would meet with government officials and private sector representatives, adding
that he attended many meetings today and signed an agreement on cooperation in
the field of mining with Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan
Bayraktar.
Alkhorayef stated that they came together with a group of Turkish
business people at the Türkiye-Saudi Arabia Round Table Meeting and explained
the industrial strategy and mining plans in Saudi Arabia, adding that he will
complete his visit to Türkiye in Istanbul.
Alkhorayef then drove the TOGG with Hisarcıklıoğlu.