Qatar Chamber reviews ties with Istanbul metal exporters’ group

Officials of Qatar Chamber and a delegation from the Istanbul Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metals Exporters’ Association (IDDMIB) held a meeting in Doha yesterday to review co-operation ties.
Qatar Chamber first vice chairman Mohamed bin Towar al-Kuwari met with IDDMIB chairman Tahsin Oztiryaki to discuss ways to strengthen co-operation relations between Qatari and Turkish private sectors, and to encourage both countries’ businessmen to build commercial partnerships.
Al-Kuwari said there is a wide range of co-operation opportunities between both sides in the metal sector, especially projects related to Qatar’s hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup or in the large-scale infrastructure projects.
“This opens the door for Turkish companies to co-operate with Qatari companies in implementing the services needed for these projects,” al-Kuwari stressed. He also assured the Chamber’s support to help both sides tap into Qatar and Turkey’s “attractive investment climate,” and to benefit from signed agreements, as well as the establishment of more alliances and partnerships.
Al-Kuwari noted that the relationship between Qatar and Turkey “is a shining example for other nations to follow,” and that both countries enjoyed “strong and distinct co-operation relations that include all fields, especially in economic and trade aspects.”
On bilateral trade, al-Kuwari said figures grew by 85% from $1.3bn in 2017 to $2.4bn last year, and noted that there are 130 Qatari companies working in Turkey in various sectors and more than 450 Turkish companies with Qatari partners in the trading, contracting, furniture services, hospitality, and tourism sectors. 
Al-Kuwari called both Qatari companies to discuss the establishment of partnerships with Turkish companies under the Istanbul association to transfer industry and technology to Qatar, and to establish industrial projects that meet the needs of the local market and to export the surplus abroad. 
Oztiryaki said the delegation is composed of 13 companies that are eager to learn about the investment opportunities available in Qatar and to identify business partnerships with their Qatari counterparts.
He stressed that the association “is very keen” to enhance co-operation with Qatari businessmen and increase exports to Qatar, which he described as a “promising” market for metals.”
Oztiryaki also said the association has 7,000 members from nine sectors specialising in ferrous and non-ferrous metals. Total exports of companies in the association, he continued, stood at $8.5bn last year. He also called Qatari investors and businessmen to identify projects related to metal products in Turkey, adding that Turkey “is a leading country” in the construction and contracting sector.