Ankara, October 14 (QNA) – HE President of the Investment Office of the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey Ahmet Burak Daglioglu, stressed that the relations between Qatar and Turkey are strong and well-established.
His Excellency told Qatar news agency (QNA) that the last ten years have witnessed a great development in Qatari-Turkish relations in various fields.
He added that Qatari investments in Turkey have reached a high level, and their value is currently estimated at ten billion dollars, and there are Qatari companies operating regularly inside Turkey, some with full Qatari capital, others with mixed capital, and in varying proportions pointing out that Qatari investments exist in several different sectors, especially the finance sector (banks), health and tourism, in addition to real estate, in which Qataris (individuals and companies) have invested, and the recent period witnessed entry of Qatari investments into the ports and technology sector, expressing the welcome of Qatari investors in Turkey.
His Excellency also stressed that Qatari-Turkish relations are strong and solid in the political aspect and have expanded and grown significantly in the economic and investment aspect during the recent period, as the volume of trade exchange between the two countries amounted to about $1.8 billion, the two countries are seeking to increase this value to $5 billion, He added that there is another factor, which is the investment factor.
Turkish investment office now working with the investment office in Qatar, cooperating and discussing mechanisms of cooperation between the two countries in the future. There is also an agreement to protect the rights of Qatari investors in Turkey.
President of the Investment Office of the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey pointed out that Qatari investors have made successful investments and large projects in previous years, and that the Qatar Investment Authority currently has three huge projects in Turkey, expressing his belief that the coming years will witness an increase in the volume of investment between the two countries, and the movement of tourists between the two countries has also increased, especially after the Corona pandemic, he also expected that the number of Turks who will visit Qatar with the start of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and flights between the two countries will increase.
The Turkish official said that Qatar and Turkey play a very important role in terms of investments, especially considering the current economic stagnation in the world.
His Excellency added that the two countries also play an important role in resolving the current crisis in supply chains and transporting goods the world is facing.
He also indicated that the volume of trade exchange between the two countries is expected to reach $5 billion by 2025, that each of the two countries exports to the other its needs of materials and goods.
His Excellency explained that in order to reach economic integration, there are some measures that must be taken at the level of governments, pointing out that there are agreements between the two countries in the fields of economy, trade and investment, there is also a free trade agreement between the two countries, in addition to an agreement to protect investors from both countries, and an agreement to prevent double taxation, and the two countries are sparing no effort to strengthen their relations in various fields, especially in the economic field.
He also stressed that the relations between Qatari businessmen and their Turkish counterparts are distinguished, as each side participates in all events and exhibitions organized by the other side constantly, there are also joint investments by Qatari and Turkish businessmen in some countries of the world, indicating that the investment office plays an important role in the rapprochement between businessmen in the two countries.
He said that the economic relations between the two countries are solid, and work is continuing to develop and strengthen them through the implementation of some joint projects. The two sides are also working to strengthen relations in the field of health, education, and tourism…etc.
His Excellency said that the office always advises investors who come to Turkey to go to long-term companies to invest in, especially technology companies that grow rapidly, and export companies that bring in hard currency, pointing to the increased demand from Qatari investors for technology companies.
He said that Turkish exports grew by nearly 30 percent after the COVID-19 pandemic, indicating that the COVID-19 pandemic affected all economies of the world, but the Turkish economy continued to grow during that period, as Turkish companies continued to produce and manufacture, at a time when international companies stopped their work and gave up part of their employees, while the Turkish government provided incentives for companies to continue their work, through the state bearing 30 percent of the salaries of employees in some companies to ensure the continuation of work.
He added that the infrastructure in Turkey, such as ports, airports, and tunnels (such as the Eurasia Tunnel, in which the Qatar Investment Authority has investments) also contributed to supporting the country’s economy, noting that Turkish exports doubled during the current year.
His Excellency also stressed that the Turkish authorities give guarantees to investors in hospitals and some other private companies, which is called safe investment, pointing out that the Investment Office provides all the necessary facilities for investors, prepares studies for them and provides them with advice that guarantees their success.
The Turkish official explained that Turkey is growing very quickly, enjoys a strategic location, and has a skilled and well-trained workforce, and the authorities have made a comprehensive change in the laws on investment and investors, where there is equality between the Turkish investor and the foreign investor, and there is special support for investments in the field of technology, he added that the “Technofest” exhibition, which is considered the largest technology exhibition in the world, comes in this context, its fifth edition was held this year, under the auspices of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and is witnessing competitions in technology and artificial intelligence with the participation of companies and school students.
He said that the state’s support and care for minds is the most important reason for technological development in Turkey, pointing out that there are 500 foreign companies from Switzerland, Germany and other countries working in Turkey in the field of production and technological development, these companies export their products from technology programs and projects to countries around the world. (QNA)