Vice-Chairman of Qatar Chamber, Mohamed bin Towar, and Ambassador of Turkey to Qatar, Fikret Ozer, and other dignitaries during the opening of the Expo Turkey 2017 at the QNCC yesterday. Pic: Salim Matramkot / The Peninsula
Expo Turkey by Qatar showcasing around 120 leading Turkish companies representing various sectors from real estate to food kicked off yesterday at Qatar National Convention Center.
Mohamed bin Towar, Vice Chairman of Qatar Chamber, Ambassador of Turkey to Qatar Fikret Özer, and Foreign Minister of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus were guests of honour at the opening ceremony.
QC Vice-Chairman Towar urged businessmen from both countries to start new partnerships and joint ventures to explore new areas of cooperation for the benefit of both economies.
He said that Qatar's market would welcome more Turkish products and investments. “I believe Turkey also welcomes more Qatari investments, especially in the fields of industry and technology," he said, adding that the expo would enable companies from both countries to achieve business objectives.
Turkish Ambassador Fikret Ozer said that the Expo Turkey by Qatar was being held as the leaders of both countries wanted to expand relations in all sectors.
“This expo will revive relations between two countries and two nations. Leading Turkish companies are participating in the expo representing different sectors like communication, health, textile, construction, food, machinery, furniture, real estate etc.,” he said.
Ozer said that bilateral trade between two countries was growing year by year further expressing hopes that "soon our annual trade exchange will cross $2bn". He said that Turkish construction companies had done wonderful projects in Qatar like Hamad international Airport, Museum of Islamic Art and Qatar National Convention Center. He said that Turkish companies’ standards were in conformity with Qatar National Vision 2030.
He said that expo would provide a platform to companies from both countries to get acquainted with each other and would provide an opportunity to share and exchange ideas and information.
Talking to The Peninsula, Ahmet Baser, Procurement and Logistics Manager of Tekfen Construction said that the expo would end slow trade between two countries. “Both countries enjoy very good relations but they do not transform in our trade relations. Through this expo, Turkish products will be showcased to attract more clients from Qatar in almost all sectors from real estate to machinery,” he said, adding that the Syrian war was badly hitting trade between two countries as it had blocked the land trade route.
Zumrut Doyran, General Manager of a furniture company "Hotelya by Kolsan" said that her company was first time exploring Qatar’s market with high hopes. “Our 90percent furniture is for five star hotels. We hope to find new customers from Qatar."
