Satyendra Pathak
Doha
Minister of Treasury and Finance of Turkiye Mehmet Simsek highlighted the importance of enhancing commercial and economic relations between Turkiye and Qatar at a high-level meeting in Doha.
The event, titled “Business and Investment Opportunities in Turkiye,” brought together officials from the Qatar Chamber (QC) and the Qatar Businessmen Association (QBA) on Wednesday. The discussions focused on deepening the already robust ties between the two nations and creating more opportunities for mutual business interests.
In his address, Simsek praised the longstanding partnership between Qatar and Turkiye, underscoring the favourable conditions to expand these relations, particularly in the realm of business.
He stated that Turkiye is looking for more Qatari firms and entrepreneurs to explore investment opportunities in Turkiye. His remarks reflected a keen interest in fostering stronger ties between business communities on both sides.
Joining Simsek at the meeting were key figures such as Qatar Chamber Chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al Thani and Qatari Businessmen Association Chairman Sheikh Faisal bin Qassem Al Thani. Also in attendance was Ambassador of Turkiye in Doha HE Mustafa Goksu along with several influential business owners from both Qatar and Turkiye.
During his presentation, Simsek elaborated on Turkiye’s ambitious new economic strategy, which has been designed to address a range of economic challenges the country faced in recent years. He noted that the government’s goal is to curb inflation, which has plagued the country, and to create a structural transformation that will lead to sustainable economic growth.
“Inflation in Turkiye is expected to fall below 10 percent in the coming period,” Simsek stated, highlighting a key milestone in the country’s economic agenda. He further pointed out that the Central Bank’s reserves have surged by 95 percent, a reflection of the government’s success in stabilizing the financial landscape.
Additionally, the Turkish minister confidently predicted that the fiscal deficit would narrow over the next few years as part of the broader effort to ensure a balanced and reformed financial system.
Simsek also emphasised that Turkiye’s access to global capital markets has improved significantly. He pointed out that leading credit rating agencies like Moody’s and Fitch have upgraded Turkiye’s credit rating, citing the country’s enhanced investment climate. These improvements, he said, reflect Turkiye’s commitment to making itself an attractive destination for international
investors.
On the Qatari side, Qatar Chamber Chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al Thani reaffirmed the strong bond between the two nations. He underscored the dedication of both Qatari and Turkish leadership to fostering even closer economic ties. Sheikh Khalifa pointed out that trade between Qatar and Turkiye reached QR4.75 billion in 2023, a testament to the already flourishing economic relationship.
The QC chairman highlighted Qatar’s interest in exploring more investment opportunities in Turkiye, while also encouraging Turkish business owners to consider investments in Qatar. He pointed out that Qatar offers a highly attractive investment climate, supported by world-class infrastructure, progressive business legislation, and abundant opportunities in key sectors such as energy, real estate, tourism, agriculture, and food production.
Sheikh Khalifa called on Turkish investors to take advantage of these opportunities and explore the benefits of establishing operations in Qatar. He expressed the chamber’s enthusiasm for promoting collaboration and partnerships between business owners from both nations.
Speaking at the event, the ambassador of Turkiye also lauded the close economic and political ties between the two nations. He emphasised the significant steps Turkiye has taken to improve its business and investment environment, which he said presents fresh opportunities for Qatari
investors.
Ambassador Goksu expressed confidence that both nations would continue to explore new channels for commercial partnerships, citing the deep mutual interest in strengthening their economic cooperation.
Furkan Karayaka, vice president of the Investment Office of the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye, also addressed the gathering, expressing optimism about the future of the Turkish economy.
He attributed Turkiye’s positive economic trajectory to the nation’s sound leadership and the reforms that have made Turkiye an increasingly attractive destination for international investment. Karayaka reassured Qatari business owners that the investment office is committed to facilitating the establishment of their ventures in Turkiye, further strengthening the relationship between the two nations.
In conclusion, the event underscored a shared commitment between Turkiye and Qatar to deepen their economic ties, providing a platform for future collaborations between business owners and investors from both sides.
