Qatar Businessmen Association (QBA) board member Sherida al-Kaabi. PICTURE: Shemeer Rasheed

By Peter Alagos
Business Reporter

The abundance of investment opportunities between Qatar and Turkey has helped bilateral trade volumes to reach $1.3bn in 2014-15, Qatar Businessmen Association (QBA) board member Sherida al-Kaabi has said.
Al-Kaabi, who spoke to Gulf Times on the sidelines of a press conference of the “2nd High Tech Port Fair” and the “19th International Business Forum (IBF),” said Turkey is a “promising and attractive” investment destination.
He noted that the staging of the two events, slated on October 6 to 8 at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC), is a “good opportunity” to enhance trade relations with Turkey considering the range of “competitive opportunities” in the Turkish market.
“Qatar and Turkey share a rich historical past and this relationship facilitates the entry of Qatari investors into the Turkish market. This thrust is supported by both governments, thus encouraging businessmen to co-operate further.
“The QBA sees this event as another step forward following the bilateral conference between Qatar and Turkey, which was recently hosted by the Qatar Businessmen Association,” al-Kaabi pointed out.
Asked about the event’s role in strengthening trade relations between Qatar and Turkey, al-Kaabi said: “Today’s technology encompasses all fields from the industrial and manufacturing to the banking and health sectors.
“Hence the event will discuss in detail the role of advanced technology in enhancing co-operation between Qatari and Turkish businessmen.”
Omur Yildiz, managing director of High Tech Port, said 67 companies from the defence, aerospace, marine systems, Information Technology (IT), and engineering sectors will participate in the event.
He also said the Qatar’s armed forces, in conjunction with the brand BMC, will be exhibiting seven different products during the event.
Ozer Balkiz, IBF secretary general, said five panel sessions to be held over two days will focus on the potential of ICT in Qatar and Turkey, as well as technology innovation and Qatar’s civil aviation, cyber security and homeland security, and details of future co-operation.
Yildiz said: “Through this exhibition, we believe that important steps towards strategic co-operation between Qatar and Turkey will be developed. The aim of our co-operation will not just be limited to real estate and construction; it will also encompass sustainable business co-operation and development of new market.”
He noted that for the 19th IBF, more than 1,000 participants from Turkey and Qatar, as well as other international stakeholders are expected to attend.
“We did not come here to sell our products. Rather, we are looking for interested parties for manufacturing technologies here or elsewhere. We are looking towards forging a sustainable partnership between Qatari and Turkish companies, as well as those in other Islamic countries,” Yildiz explained.