Fikret Özer, the Ambassador of Turkey to the State of Qatar, and Sheikh Thani bin Thamer bin Mohammed Al Thani, Al Meera Chairman, along with other dignitaries at the opening of the Turkish Festival at Al Meera yesterday. Pic: Baher Amin / The Peninsula
DOHA: The Ambassador of Turkey to Qatar, Fikret Ozer, has said Turkish exports to Qatar in the first eight months of current year (January-August 2018) doubled when compared to the same period last year.
“In the first eight months of this year, our exports increased 100 percent as compared to the first eight months of the last year. The Turkish exports to Qatar in these eight months touched $700m,” the Ambassador said, while talking to media after launch of Turkish Festival at Al Meera.
He said that imports from Qatar were also on the rise and it had touched $750m from January to August 2018. “There is a big rise in bilateral trade after blockade of Qatar,” he added.
The Ambassador said that Turkey was mainly exporting electrical products like cables, furniture, food and building material to Qatar.
Regarding Al Meera’s Turkish Festival, Fikret Özer said that Al Meera had adopted a good policy of visiting Turkey to meet the producers and knowing their products. “Al Meera is meeting different companies in Turkey to learn about the sources of products being exported to Qatar.”
Meanwhile, QNA reported that the Ambassador has expressed hope that the volume of trade between his country and Qatar will reach $2bn by the end of 2018. The Ambassador said that the volume of trade between Qatar and Turkey has reached $1.3bn since the beginning of the current year until last August, pointing to the possibility of reaching $2bn by the end of 2018.
He said there is a possibility to establish a company specialised in maritime transport between the two countries, which is under study and is scheduled to launch soon, stressing the importance of the need for such company. The Ambassador revealed that the volume of contracts awarded to the Turkish companies engaged in contracting works in Qatar is estimated at $15bn.
Al Meera Consumer Goods Company launched 15-day long ‘Turkish Festival’ to celebrate friendship and business between Qatar and Turkey.
The festival was launched at Al Meera Hyatt Plaza yesterday in the presence of Sheikh Thani bin Thamer bin Mohammed Al Thani, Al Meera Chairman; Fikret Özer, Ambassador of Turkey to Qatar; Abdallah bin Khalifa Al Kuwari, Director of Supply Department / Quantitative Licenses and Market Control Department at the Ministry of Economy and Commerce and Didier Castaing, Al Meera CEO along with Al Meera’s executive directors.
In the festival, guests will be able to get accustomed to the Turkish heritage, culture and regional cuisine. Customers will get to visit the Turkish extravaganza such as bakery, dairy products, dry food, juice, etc. All Al Meera branches would infuse the Turkish look and feel and will have special Turkish culinary delights on display such as Turkish ice cream, Turkish coffee and Turkish delights.
Commenting the launch, Eng. Salah Al Hammadi, Deputy CEO of Al Meera Consumer Goods Company, said: “In order to offer unique proposition to our esteemed customers every time they visit our branches, we are pleased to bring the Turkish treasures for them with a host of regional specialties on display. This will be a visual treat for our Turkish community in Qatar to experience the Turkish culture in the land of Qatar and experience home away from home.”
