Turkish and Qatari businesspeople, who held bilateral talks in İzmir in the beginning of August, will reunite at the Food and Consumer Fair in Qatar on Oct. 26-29. During the Food and Consumer Fair in Qatar's capital Doha, export-oriented negotiations will take place.

Aegean Exporters' Associations (EİB) Vice Coordinator Chairman Nurettin Tarakçıoğlu likened export to a marathon run and said that continuity and consistency are very important. Tarakçıoğlu noted that relations are progressing as they come together with businesspeople in countries they export to.

When we come together at bilateral talks, fairs or other organizations, we better understand the wishes and demands of the other party," he said.

Tarakçıoğlu pointed out that profitable sales are difficult in the European market, saying, "However, markets like Qatar are more profitable for us. They are markets where we can better explain our products. Therefore, we attach importance to such fairs and activities. We are trying to participate."Noting that some countries in the world are prejudiced against Turkey, Tarakçıoğlu said, "There is love for Turks in Qatar. If we display [in Qatar] how advanced our industries are, we will yield results in the medium and long run."Indicating that the EİB plan to hold a national participation organization at the fair, he said that they expect that products that are at the forefront of both Turkey's export and production, such as apricots, figs, olives and grapes, will see great interest in Qatar.

Tarakçıoğlu said that meetings with Qatari businesspeople in Izmir at the beginning of August were very positive.

Suggesting that doing business with people close to the same thought is more efficient and improves cooperation in a short period of time, he said, "We sensed this in İzmir. We can get our products through this market with their quality and price. Turkish exporters can compete with international companies. What is important is not to increase exports because of an emerging political crisis but to be permanent there."

According to the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM), Turkey reached $152.6 million in exports to Qatar, which was embargoed by Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt, from the beginning of June until Aug. 24. This figure was $82.2 million in the same period last year. The electrics-electronics sector led the way in exports with $28.2 million, followed by water and livestock products with $26.8 million. Qatar-Turkey bilateral business talks organized by the Ministry of Economy were held in İzmir in the beginning of August and attended by 90 company representatives from Qatar and 150 representatives from Turkey. ISTANBUL / DAILY SABAH WITH AA