Turkey seeks to 'increase trade with Qatar to $5 billion'

Ahmed Goulash says that while the trade volume between the two countries stands at $1.3 billion, there is "potential for improvement."

"The year 2002 was when improvements in Turkish-Qatari economic and trade relations kick started, which enhanced after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan came into power," Goulash said.

"Relations only became stronger and grew deeper and stronger since the Saudi-led blockade on Qatar," he added. 

With "more than half" of Turkish exports being sent to European countries, Goulash urges that Ankara wants to crack open new markets across the world.

"We are currently planning to explore Latin American markets and open trade relations with Asian countries that we have not yet dealt with, along with the United States," he told The New Arab, urging global confidence in the quality and price of Turkish products.

With the 2022 World Cup coming up, Turkish businessmen plan on working with Qatar as infrastructural developments take place in the run up of the international football competition

Despite wanting to globalise, Qatar remains a priority for trade expansion. 

"Turkish businessmen are keen to familiarise themselves with the Qatari market and enter into new agreements and partnerships with Doha," Goulash said. 

"With the 2022 World Cup coming up, Turkish businessmen plan on working with Qatar as infrastructural developments take place in the run up of the international football competition."

While there are many windows of opportunity for Turkish businessmen in Qatar, Goulash urges that Ankara seeks to support its Gulf ally in the middle of the blockade.

"While economic relations between Turkey and the Gulf Arab states continue to grow, we stand by Qatar in the Gulf crisis, which was fabricated to ostracise Doha," he said.

On June 5, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt severed diplomatic and economic ties with Qatar, accusing it of links to extremist groups.

Saudi Arabia then issued Qatar with a list of demands, including shutting down media outlets Al Jazeera and London-based The New Arab, curbing relations with Iran, and closing a Turkish military base in the emirate.

Qatar denies the charges and says the boycott is aimed at curtailing its sovereignty.