Turkey plans FTA with GCC countries

Turkey is aiming to increase trade volumes with the Gulf region to equal 30 per cent of its total foreign trade. The Turkish government is pursuing a free trade agreement with the GCC countries, in particular the UAE which provides a gateway to the rest of the Gulf region, the Indian sub-continent and the East African markets.

Turkey’s plans to win a major trade boost with the Gulf have been revealed by Mr Harun Kocak, the country’s commercial attache to the UAE, as he looks forward to the first official Turkish trade exhibition in the Emirates. Organised by Expotim International Fair Organizations Inc., a Turkish events management company, ‘Made in Turkey’ is being held at Dubai’s World Trade Centre from June 4-6. Having enjoyed extensive success in the west through a free trade agreement with the EU, Turkey now aims to strengthen its ties in the East with which it shares so many cultural values.