The arbitrary measures taken by neighboring countries constitute a clear violation of international laws, conventions and agreements.The Qatari economy offers huge investment opportunities not only in the field of food security but also in the logistics, sports, tourism and health sectors.The successful economic policies adopted by the State of Qatar have contributed to strengthening the national economy, as shown in various international economic indicators.Macro-economic indicators put the contribution of the non-oil sector at more than 70% of nominal GDP in 2016The state, under the guidance of its wise leadership, was able to break the siege within hours by activating pre-emptive strategies and plans.Qatar has succeeded in maintaining the continued flow of products to the domestic market at the same pre-siege pace, ensuring there is no shortage of consumer goods or other products.Qatar has trade relations with partners and countries worldwide and will not be affected by the illegal measures taken by only four countries on the commercial level.The volume of Qatari-Turkish bilateral trade reached 2 billion Qatari riyals, the equivalent of 547 million US dollars, during the first half of 2017.
His Excellency Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al-Thani, Minister of Economy and Commerce, and an accompanying delegation participated on Thursday, August 3, 2017, in the opening program for the Qatari delegation in the Turkish city of Izmir, in the presence of HE Mr. Nihat Zeybekci, Minister of Economy of the Republic of Turkey, as well as senior representatives of the private sector from both countries.
In his keynote address, Qatar’s Minister of Economy and Commerce thanked and praised the Republic of Turkey for supporting the State of Qatar during the current crisis, stressing that Turkey’s honorable position reflects a long history of bilateral relations that has grown stronger under the wise leadership of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of the State of Qatar, and His Excellency Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of the Republic of Turkey.
Addressing the economic situation of Qatar, Sheikh Ahmed said the Qatari economy has proved resilient to global economic challenges that have impacted major economies. The Minister noted that the current crisis represents a new phase in the journey of cementing Qatar’s position on the global economic map and achieving its economic independence and security.
H.E. added that the State of Qatar, under the guidance of its wise leadership, was able to break the siege within hours by activating pre-emptive strategies and plans that the state had previously put in place to cope with local and international crises. The Minister added that Qatar built on the combined efforts of the public and private sector to boost local production and open new channels with trade partners across the world.
His Excellency stressed that Qatar succeeded in maintaining the continued flow of products to its domestic market at the same pre-crisis pace, ensuring there is no shortage of consumer goods or other products.
His Excellency highlighted that Qatar’s large natural resources, represented by its natural gas exports, played an important role in supporting the Qatari economy and helping it withstand the arbitrary measures taken by boycotting countries. The Minister also noted that these nations’ practices constitute a clear violation of international laws, conventions and agreements.
His Excellency said that Qatar is keen to pursue trade activity with its major partners and countries worldwide, stressing that the Qatari economy will not be affected by the illegal measures taken by only four countries on the commercial level.
His Excellency added that the State of Qatar has successfully overcame the various challenges facing export and trade activity through its seaport and airport, thus maintaining growth across all economic sectors.
The Minister stressed that Qatar is one of the largest producers and exporters of natural gas in the world and has the largest shipping fleet of liquefied natural gas worldwide.
The Minister also highlighted the important role that Hamad Port played in bolstering import activity and securing alternatives commodities after the arbitrary closure of the country’s only land border. The Minister noted that this project represents one of the largest and most strategic ports in the Middle East region and has successfully established direct commercial lines with a number of strategic ports around the world, adding that Hamad International Airport has contributed to maintaining passenger and cargo traffic at a normal pace to more than 150 destinations around the world.
In this context, the Minister said the successful economic policies adopted by the State of Qatar have contributed to strengthening the national economy, as indicated by the various international economic indicators. The Minister noted that Qatar ranks second worldwide in terms of its stable macroeconomic environment, eighth globally on the economic performance index, and 18th on the Global Competitiveness Report 2016. He added that Qatar sovereign fund ranks 14th globally, with assets worth 335 billion US dollars around the world.
His Excellency noted that the contribution of the non-oil sector accounted for more than 70% of nominal GDP in 2016, arguing that the Qatari economy offers huge investment opportunities not only in the field of food security, but also in the logistics, sports, tourism and health sectors.
Commenting on bilateral Qatari-Turkish relations, His Excellency said the two countries enjoyed fraternal ties and unique relations that have grown stronger over the past decades across various fields. The Minister added that these relations have reflected positively on the volume of bilateral trade, which reached 2 billion Qatari riyals, the equivalent of 547 million US dollars, during the first half of 2017.
His Excellency also praised the efforts of the Qatari and Turkish private sectors to break the illegal siege imposed on the State of Qatar by providing high-quality alternative consumer goods and products, stressing that Turkish products have proved their value in the Qatari market.
The Minister voiced hope that this meeting would contribute to an increase in the volume of bilateral trade, facilitate the flow of Turkish goods and promote successful investment partnerships that will bolster the economy of both countries and enhance their ability to cope with future challenges.
On the sidelines of the opening program, H.E. Sheikh Ahmed and Mr. Nihat Zeybekci held a bilateral meeting during which they discussed a Turkish-Qatari agreement to increase trade and investment flow, facilitate commercial activity and boost bilateral trade.
H.E. Sheikh Ahmed explained Qatar’s position at the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the state’s recent decision to file a formal complaint with the WTO Dispute Settlement Body against countries that imposed a siege on Qatar for violating laws and conventions relating to the trade of goods and services, as well as trade-related aspects of intellectual property.
The agenda of the Qatari delegation, which brought together more than 100 businessmen from the State of Qatar, included meetings between Qatari businessmen and their Turkish counterparts to discuss the promotion of trade relations, as well as to assess investment opportunities and the establishment of joint ventures in both Qatar and Turkey. The meetings and bilateral discussions resulted in the signing of a number of agreements and memoranda of understanding between Qatari and Turkish companies in various fields.
