Abu Dhabi: Prof. Dr. ‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬¦€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬¦€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬¦€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦€š¬…€œmer Bolat, Minister of Trade of the Republic of Trkiye, emphasized the nation's commitment to strengthening international trade partnerships amid current global economic challenges. He highlighted Trkiye's focus on establishing cooperative frameworks that emphasize transparency and the reduction of trade barriers, especially through initiatives like the Emerging Markets Forum, set to be held in collaboration with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in Istanbul this April.
According to Emirates News Agency, the Minister, speaking at the AIM Congress 2025 in Abu Dhabi, noted the increasing difficulty in maintaining market openness due to the rise of protectionism, trade barriers, and geopolitical tensions. He stressed the need for frameworks that promote transparency and reduce barriers, including addressing non-tariff barriers and supporting policies that facilitate cross-border investment.
Trkiye aims to foster an environment conducive to global trade and investment growth by confronting unfair practices. Prof. Dr. ‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬¦€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬¦€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬¦€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦€š¬…€œmer Bolat underlined the importance of multilateral cooperation within frameworks such as the World Trade Organisation, UNCTAD, OECD, and the G20. He announced the launch of a joint dialogue initiative with the OECD, the Emerging Markets Forum, scheduled for 10 April 2025 in Istanbul. The forum aims to address global value chains and connectivity issues, establishing a regular global dialogue platform for emerging economies.
Since 2003, Trkiye has expanded its commercial presence in Africa significantly, increasing the number of Turkish commercial offices from 4 to 31. The country has signed several trade agreements with African nations, including the 'Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement' with 50 countries, the 'Agreement on Mutual Promotion and Protection of Investments' with 31 countries, and the 'Agreement of the Prevention of Double Taxation' with 18 countries. Additionally, Trkiye has signed Free Trade Agreements with 5 African countries.
The Minister highlighted the growth in Trkiye-Africa trade volume, which rose from US$5.4 billion in 2003 to US$37 billion by 2024. Turkish entrepreneurs and businesses now operate in each of Africa's 54 countries, with the total market value of Turkish investments in Africa reaching US$10 billion. Turkish contracting companies have completed 2,021 projects valued at US$96.6 billion across the continent.
In the Middle East and Gulf regions, Trkiye's trade volume has increased nearly sevenfold from US$8.9 billion in 2003 to US$61.7 billion by the end of 2024. Investments from Gulf countries into Trkiye have reached approximately US$14 billion, with trade volume increasing almost 14 times from US$2.1 billion in 2002 to US$27.7 billion in 2024.
Prof. Dr. ‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬¦€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬¦€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬¦€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦€š¬…€œmer Bolat expressed optimism about the ongoing Trkiye-Gulf Cooperation Council Free Trade Agreement negotiations, which he believes will enhance trade and economic relations between GCC countries and Trkiye. He noted that Trkiye has already signed Free Trade Agreements with the UAE and Qatar. Turkish companies have completed around 2,400 projects valued at US$126 billion in the Middle East and Gulf regions.
The Minister also outlined Trkiye's 'Faraway Countries Strategy' and the Export Development Strategy with the Members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, aiming to increase the share of Muslim countries in Trkiye's exports from 26% to 30%. The 2025 Export Action Plan supports exporters more systematically, with efforts to develop commercial and economic relations and protect commercial interests.
Trkiye's Ministry of Trade actively engages in commercial diplomacy, with Commercial Missions in 109 countries, 161 offices, and 234 Commercial Counsellors and Attaches supporting exporters in accessing new markets and meeting their needs.
