Istanbul:Turkish Trade Minister Omer Bolat engaged in significant discussions with officials from at least 11 countries in Istanbul, focusing on the expansion of bilateral trade. These discussions included investment opportunities in the United Arab Emirates and potential contributions of Turkish contractors to Sudan's reconstruction efforts.
According to Anadolu Agency – English, the meetings occurred during the 42nd Ministerial Meeting of the Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation (COMCEC) of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Bolat emphasized on Turkish social media platform NSosyal that Turkey shared its export experience in a session on trade finance, where discussions were held on increasing financing options for exporters in OIC countries.
Bolat's dialogue with the UAE focused on a $40 billion bilateral trade target, engaging with UAE Foreign Trade Minister Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi and Sultan Saeed Al Mansouri. Plans were made to convene meetings of their joint trade committee in Turkey. Similarly, discussions with Egyptian Investment and Foreign Trade Minister Mohamed Farid Saleh set the stage for a third round of high-level trade consultations in 2027, with a goal of reaching $15 billion in bilateral trade. In other dialogues, Bolat and Libya's trade minister reaffirmed a $5 billion trade target.
The meetings also explored Turkish investment in African markets. Talks with Sudan's trade minister discussed reconstruction roles for Turkish contractors, while discussions with Guinea's Industry and Trade Minister Aboubacar Kourouma involved potential projects under the Simandou 2040 development program. Bolat also conversed with Djibouti's trade minister about leveraging logistics for broader African market access.
Further engagements included conversations with Indonesian Deputy Trade Minister Dyah Roro Esti Widya Putri, Bangladesh's Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktader, and Iran's Economy and Finance Minister Seyyed Ali Madanizadeh, aiming to strengthen bilateral trade relations. Additional discussions were held with Mozambican Economy Minister Basilio Muhate and Niger's Trade and Industry Minister Abdoulaye Seydou.