On Thursday, 88 Qatari and 200 Turkish companies met in İzmir to develop commercial relations between the two countries. The first result was an agreement to launch trade between Kocaeli and Doha. On the first day of bilateral talks between Turkish and Qatari companies, some companies agreed, especially in the food sector, to launch mutual commercial vessels between Kocaeli Derince Port and Doha Hamad Port.
Representatives from Qatari and Turkish companies attended the first day of talks in a hotel in İzmir in cooperation with the Economy Ministry, the Aegean Exporters' Unions, Qatari Economy and Commerce Ministry and the Qatar Chamber of Commerce. Evaluating the meeting, Aegean Exporters' Association Coordinator Chairman Sabri Ünlütürk said business contacts were established that brought together companies in many sectors, especially food, building materials, medical, plastics and logistics. Ünlütürk said companies from both countries also talked about joint investments and that the results will be seen in the near future. Since businesspeople have expectations about logistics, Ünlütürk said that establishing a road connection after the sea would rapidly increase bilateral trade volume.
On the other hand, an agreement was reached regarding the launch of mutual commercial ships to Qatar from Derince Port in Kocaeli. Chairman of Safi Derince Liman İşletmeciliği AŞ Mustada Hakan Safi said they agreed to launch mutual direct commercial lines between Derince Port and Doha Hamad Port for container, bulk and general cargo loads, beginning at the end of November as a result of talks held with Qatar's Charlotte Trading and Contracting company.
2022 FIFA World Cup plan
Safi said Qatar's needs will increase, especially right before the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and goods are expected to be sent to Doha in eight to 10 days on commercial vessels, adding that export goods will be transported to Turkey three days a week by sea. The meeting, during which some Qatari businesspeople made on-site examinations of facilities in the industrial zone in Izmir, will adjourn along with talks to be held today. Qatari Economy and Commerce Minister Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohamed al-Thani said the Turkish and Qatari private sectors played a major role in breaking the blockade imposed on Qatar. Speaking at the opening session of Turkey- Qatar B2B meeting organized by the Ministry of Economy, Sheikh Ahmed expressed their gratitude to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the Turkish government and Minister of Economy Nihat Zeybekci, who played an active role during this process, for Turkey's support following the illegal siege imposed on Qatar.