Representatives of the private sector, who returned from the Gulf tour with 26 agreements, explained in their statements that there was a spring period in relations, that TOGG, which was presented in all 3 countries, was highly appreciated and aroused a lot of interest.

The Turkish business world, which toured the Gulf with the participation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and a large delegation, signed 26 agreements in 3 countries and reached a consensus on many new investments.

The Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK) completed trade forums covering Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the framework of President Erdogan’s visit.

The business forums were held at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, at the Lusail Palace in Doha, the capital of Qatar, and at the Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Abu Dhabi.

HIGH CONTRACTOR ATTENTION

Investors from host countries also showed great interest in the business forums which were attended by approximately 200 entrepreneurs from many sectors in Turkey, especially real estate, contracting, industry, agriculture, food, IT, smart urban, port and banking.

In the meetings where bilateral and multiple meetings were held, new cooperation opportunities were evaluated and investment opportunities were discussed. Although it was agreed to increase the volume of foreign trade and mutual investments between the countries, it was emphasized that joint investments could be made in third countries.

Some collaborations agreed upon in the meetings were also materialized. 26 new agreements were signed in many fields. These agreements, which open the doors of investment to the Turkish private sector, are expected to be implemented in a short time.

On the other hand, new agreements are expected to emerge from these talks.

DEİK’S ‘SPRING TERM IN RELATIONSHIPS’

Foreign Economic Relations (DEİK) Chairman Nail Olpak stated that political leaders and heads of state determine relations between countries, and that they are advancing on the path paved by them, saying that political relations with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar have been progressing very positively recently.

Stating that they now see the reflection of this progress in concrete terms, Olpak noted that there is a spring period in relations with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Olpak continued his words as follows:

“We, like DEİK, came here on a separate plane and with our 200 businessmen. Of course, the business forums, the round tables, were important to us. The great participation of the ministers of the relevant countries in our meetings in the 3 countries shows how their contribution to this process is.

For example, at our business forum in Abu Dhabi, we had 7 ministers, 4 of whom were our ministers and 3 of whom were ministers from the host country. This also shows the point of view of political will. It’s a beautiful painting.”

‘WE ALSO SEE REFLECTIONS ON THE SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT SIDE’

Olpak stated that the Turkish private sector signed a total of 26 separate agreements and said that these cooperations are outside the official agreements.

Referring to the areas in which the agreements were made, Olpak made the following statements:

“Among these agreements are energy, health, information technology, real estate, food. There are investments in the field of industry. Apart from that, there are agreements related to solar energy and investments in the field of hydrogen. It is a very rich deal. We see the reflections of these in the very short term in the commercial sense.

We will see the results based on the investments within this year, that is, until the end of the year, which I think is a very important gain for the medium term”.

THE GIFT TOGG IS VERY PLEASED

Mahmut Asmalı, President of the Association of Independent Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (MUSIAD), stated that they visited 3 countries with a well-attended delegation and talked about their contacts in Jeddah, Doha and Abu Dhabi.

Asmalı said: “Actually, there was a lot of interest. A very good field has been opened for both heads of state and ministers. It is up to us entrepreneurs to fill this space. Therefore, the businessmen also showed great interest and favor.” he said.

Expressing that they have always had good relations with Qatar and that there were good talks with the United Arab Emirates that increased with great momentum, Asmalı spoke about the US$50.7 billion deals signed between Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.

Asmalı stated that the national and national car of Turkey, Togg, was given as a gift in every 3 trips, and the vehicle was highly appreciated and provided information about the meetings held.

MÜSİAD: THE TRIP HAS REACHED ITS PURPOSE, WE WILL GO MORE OFTEN

Noting that the private sector also had very serious talks, Asmalı continued her words as follows:

“These conversations are at the distance of a key that opens the door. Therefore, we will continue to increase visits from now on. We will invite them to our country, to our facilities and factories, we will send them our products. We’ll make sure these visits turn into great collaborations by coming and going more often.

But I can say that there is a real interest in Turkish businessmen, Turkish products and Turkish investors in these 3 countries. Likewise, there is great interest in our country. After the elections, there was a big push. Therefore, we must make good use of this atmosphere. I think this trip has achieved its purpose in that sense as well.”

Noting that meetings were held in many sectors such as digital, real estate, industrial, tourism and food, Asmalı said, “There is a great appetite for investment in Turkey. Türkiye is truly a land of opportunity. The residual products from Turkey have proven themselves all over the world and have buyers all over the world. Therefore, Türkiye can be a production base for the Gulf countries.” he made statements.

MEHMET NANE: TO GET PART OF THE PASTRY…

Pegasus Airlines Chairman Mehmet Nane stated that they came out of an intense 3-day marathon and said that during these visits there were good meetings between states, between countries and the Turkish business world and in terms of new connections.

Emphasizing that the visit is of great importance due to the high investments made by these countries abroad, Nane said, “By participating in such missions, we promote our country and do whatever we need to do to get a piece of this cake. In other words, I define it as a military service done by our country, a new military service.” he said.

Noting that every investment that can come into the country means a “contribution to employment and welfare,” Nane said, “There will be big investments from these three countries in the coming period.” The best example of this is the $50.7 billion deal with Abu Dhabi. Simultaneously, preliminary studies were carried out with Qatar and Saudi Arabia. she used the phrases.

On the question of whether Turkey is talking about what Turkey will do with these countries on aviation, Nane said: “The main topic of conversation on aviation is that we fly to all these countries. Increasing the frequencies here, doing joint work with the technical hangar and technical maintenance companies, all of that was on our agenda.” he said. (AA)