BY ERIKA WIDEN
Doha: More human-to-human contacts with Qatar in all possible fields is a top priority of the Turkish ambassador as part of Ankara’s efforts to bolster relations.
“We celebrated the first Turkish festival in Doha this April. Through it, we aimed to leave a notable impression by displaying a small but effective part of historical and modern aspects of the Turkish culture,” says Ahmet Demirok.
“Having known that more than 33,000 people visited the festival, I am glad to see the huge interest in it and am keen to organise such cultural and artistic events for the upcoming period. We invite our Qatari brothers and sisters to have similar activities in Turkey.”
He says Ankara would also like to open a Turkish Cultural Centre in Doha and would be glad to see a Qatari Cultural House in Turkey.
“I believe our efforts towards institutionalising cultural relations will bear fruits and attain their potential our countries deserve. The Turkish community here in the role of business holders, professionals and academicians is contributing to Qatar’s society and economy.
“In 2013, about 25,000 Qataris visited Turkey for touristic and business purposes. As we observed people enjoy combining their business trips to touristic visits. In 2013, the number of Qatari visitors increased 74.98 percent compared to 2012. As bilateral and individual commercial relations grow, business and touristic visits from both nations are increasing day by day.”
Demirok says Turkey and Qatar enjoy excellent ties in every field. “We laid the foundations of this strong relationship almost 500 years ago. I believe the partnership will develop into a bright future of cooperation,” he says, adding expanding political and economic ties will further consolidate ties at grassroots level. “Qatar occupies the hearts of Turkish people and I can see with pleasure the interest of our Qatari brothers and sisters in Turkey. A greater number of Qataris visits Turkey each year. Turkish TV series are very popular here. Besides, Qataris are buying homes in Turkey.
“It will therefore remain high on my priorities to strengthen human-to-human contacts with Qatar in all possible fields.
According to him, there are around 8,000 Turkish citizens in Qatar, mostly employed in the construction sector and service companies. Some are working as personnel for Turkish construction firms. Also, there are Turkish engineers working for international energy or construction firms, as restaurant owners and chefs, and barbershop owners, to name a few. Most Turkish citizens in Doha come from the Antakya province and are fluent in Arabic.
“We have a strong legal background covering our economic, social and cultural relations. Agreements on economic and technical cooperation, air transportation, encouragement and reciprocal protection of investments, prevention of double taxation, manpower employment, and cultural cooperation and others have been signed.
“Corollary to our expanding cooperation, I believe we will have more agreements to consolidate our relations.”
Turkey imports aluminium, mineral oils, distillation products, plastics, and organic and inorganic chemicals from Qatar, while Qatar mostly imports electric machinery and equipment, machinery and mechanical appliances, furniture, iron and steel, stone, ships and boats.
But Demirok believes Turkish building materials, construction machineries, aluminium products, jewellery, clothing and food are potential items Qatar can import.
The Peninsula
