Turkiye and Qatar target $5 billion in bilateral trade as investment ties expand. With $1.3 billion in current trade, the countries seek stronger business links and alternative transport corridors amid regional logistics disruptions
Turkiye and Qatar are targeting an increase in bilateral trade to $5 billion as the two countries seek to deepen commercial and investment relations and strengthen alternative trade routes. The target follows discussions between Turkish Trade Minister Omer Bolat and Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Sayed, in Ankara.
Bolat says trade between Turkiye and Qatar has expanded significantly over the past two decades. Annual bilateral trade reaches $1.3 billion last year, marking a 53-fold increase over 21 years. Trade had previously reached $2.5 billion during preparations for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, supported largely by major construction projects.
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The Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement, which entered into force last year, is expected to provide additional momentum towards the $5 billion objective. The agreement is intended to facilitate greater trade flows and create new opportunities for businesses in both countries.
Investment ties also remain an important part of the relationship. Turkish contractors have completed 206 projects worth a combined $21 billion in Qatar, highlighting Turkiye’s strong presence in the Gulf country’s construction and infrastructure sectors. Around 1,116 Turkish companies currently operate across Qatar’s construction, services and manufacturing industries.
At the same time, Qatari investment in Turkiye continues to expand. Approximately 250 Qatari companies have investments worth $7.8 billion in Turkiye across sectors including finance, banking, energy, logistics, media and agriculture. Bolat says the Qatar Investment Authority is also looking to increase its investments in Turkiye, with new initiatives already under development.
Logistics and trade connectivity emerge as another key priority amid ongoing regional disruptions. Bolat notes that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz due to regional conflict has created supply bottlenecks and highlighted the risks associated with relying heavily on maritime routes.
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Turkiye is therefore seeking to develop stronger alternative transport corridors connecting the Gulf with its markets. Turkish carriers are already transporting goods to Gulf countries through routes involving Syria, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, as well as Iraq and Saudi Arabia, under a transit transportation agreement with Saudi Arabia that took effect in April.
Türkiye and Qatar now aim to strengthen these trade and transit links while expanding investment cooperation. The $5 billion trade target reflects their broader ambition to build a more diversified and resilient economic partnership, supported by stronger business ties, investment flows and alternative logistics networks.